Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan met in Beijing Sunday with a delegation from Japan's ruling coalition, headed by Fukushirou Nukaga, chairman of the Policy Research Council of the Liberal Democratic Party, and Kazuo Kitagawa, chairman of the Policy Research Council of the New Komeito Party. 

Tang stressed China and Japan should promote the long-term, stable and sound development of relations by observing the principles set forth in the China-Japan Joint Statement and other major political documents and in the spirit of "Taking history as a mirror and looking forward to the future."

He also expressed his hope that the Japanese government and leaders would deal with historical issues and the Taiwan issue cautiously to avoid re-offending the Chinese people.

Fukushirou Nukaga said relations between Japan and China were very important to the Japanese government and the ruling coalition.

He also expressed his hope that methods could be found to solve problems for the continued development of friendly cooperation between the two countries.  

(Xinhua News Agency January 12, 2004)