Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing Monday reiterated the principle of taking the history as a mirror and looking forward to the future so as to promote Sino-Japanese relations.

The Chinese people attached great importance to the principles of equal treatment of each other, peaceful coexistence, opposition to war, and mutual development, Li said at a press conference after talks with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi.

It is important not to forget the severe disasters of the wartime aggression launched by Japanese militarists against Asian neighbors, Li noted.

It is also necessary for Japan to squarely face the issue of history and have a correct understanding of it, Li said.

"We always distinguish a few Japanese militarists from the Japanese people, and appreciate the efforts of the Japanese people to seek peace and development," Li said.

The Chinese foreign minister urged Japanese leaders not to visit the Yasukuni Shrine, which honors 14 convicted Class-A war criminals who were held responsible for the aggression.
 
(Xinhua News Agency August 12, 2003)