Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Thursday advocated five principles for guiding the future development of China-Japan relations.

 

China's aim is to push forward China-Japan relations to a historic stage and realize the goal of "peaceful coexistence, friendship for generations, mutually-beneficial cooperation and common development," Wen said in his speech delivered in the Japanese parliament.

 

In order to achieve the goal, the Chinese premier said that the following principles should be practiced.

 

-- To enhance mutual trust and honor commitments.

 

The three political documents including the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement are the bedrock for China-Japan relations. Under whatever circumstances, as long as both sides adhere to the principles prescribed in the documents, bilateral ties will be able to develop smoothly.

 

China hopes that Japan recognizes the high sensitivity of the Taiwan issue, honors its commitment and handles it discreetly.

 

-- To consider the overall interests of both countries and in the meantime seek common ground and shelve differences.

 

It should be admitted that China and Japan differ in opinion onsome concrete interests and issues. Their common interests, however, outweigh the divergence of views. As long as the two countries, from the long-term, strategic perspective, conduct dialogue and consultations with confidence and sincerity, the problems will be resolved in time.

 

-- To pursue common development on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

 

China and Japan, as two highly complementary economies, have great potential and promise broad prospects for cooperation, and the two countries are increasingly dependent on each other in economy.

 

The economic development of China and Japan is by no means a threat but an opportunity for the two countries.

 

-- To strengthen exchanges with an eye on the future.

 

Economic cooperation and cultural exchanges serve as two important links among countries. Leaders of both countries have agreed to enhance personnel and cultural exchanges. The Chinese side is willing to work with Japan to formulate and implement a large-scale exchange program between young Chinese and Japanese.

 

-- To conduct close consultations to cope with challenges.

 

China and Japan are two major nations in Asia and in the world at large, and China-Japan relations exert great influence on the region as well as the world. Thus, the two sides need to strengthen coordination and cooperation in a concerted effort to safeguard peace and stability in Northeast Asia, to promote a regional cooperative process and invigorate Asia.

 

China's development will contribute to the development of neighboring countries as well as across the world, he said, adding that China has always carried on a fine tradition of advocating virtues, sincerity and trust, and good-neighborly relations instead of resorting to force.

 

In his speech, Wen also called for a future-oriented attitude in Sino-Japanese relations and proposed putting aside differences to further bilateral relations.

 

"Peace benefits both, while rifts hurt both," he said, adding that in the course of a nation's historical development, both positive and negative experiences become a nation's valuable assets.

 

Wen recalled the long history of friendship and exchanges between the two neighbors, from the early exchanges of agricultural techniques between their ancestors to late Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai's student days in Japan, which has lasted for more than 2,000 years, only to be disrupted by a 50-plus-year painful, unfortunate history.

 

Japan's aggression caused great sufferings and tremendous human and economic losses to the Chinese people, Wen said. "The deep scars left in the hearts of the Chinese people are beyond description."

 

When dealing with Sino-Japanese relations, the Chinese government and its people have always advocated using history as a mirror and looking toward the future, said Wen.

 

To reflect on history is not to dwell on hard feelings but to remember and learn from the past in order to open a better future, he said, urging Japan to turn its apologies and commitments into concrete actions.

 

Since the normalization of Sino-Japanese ties, the Japanese government and Japanese leaders have on many occasions openly acknowledged Japan's invasions and expressed remorse and apologies to countries which became victim of the invasions.

 

Ensuring the future of Sino-Japanese friendship for generations to come conforms not only to the historical trend and the wishes of the two peoples, but also with the aspirations of Asia and the world as a whole, he said.

 

Wen arrived in Tokyo Wednesday for a three-day official visit to Japan.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2007)