Li Changchun, a senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC), met late Monday with executives of major Japanese media, urging media of both countries to make due contributions to the advancement of Sino-Japan strategic and mutually beneficial relations.

Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said that both Chinese and Japanese media need to adopt a responsible attitude to report issues concerning bilateral relations and situations of their respective countries in line with the principle of authenticity, objectivity and comprehensiveness in a bid to promote mutual understanding and trust between the two peoples.

The media should also proceed from the general situation of Sino-Japan relations to boost mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas, focusing more on news reports that are beneficial to closer bilateral cooperation and providing more information that is conducive to China-Japan strategic and mutually beneficial relations, he said.

Exchanges and cooperation between the media of the two nations, such as "Beijing-Tokyo Forum" and "China-Japan Media Dialogue", help to establish new channels and forms for frank, in-depth and rational dialogues as well as a platform for the two peoples to deepen their mutual understanding, he said.

Executives of key Japanese media such as public broadcaster NHK, TV Asahi, The Yumiuri Shimbun, Kyodo News Agency said that it is the common aspiration of both peoples as well as their historical responsibility to promote the steady and sustained growth of Japan- China relations.

They also made proposals on advancing exchanges between media of the two countries, expanding bilateral cooperation on economy and trade and improving feelings the two peoples harbor toward each other.

On Tuesday, Li visited the headquarters of The Yumiuri Shimbun and NHK, inquiring in detail about the management and operation of the two Japanese media.

Li arrived in Tokyo Sunday for an official goodwill visit. Japan is the third leg of his four-nation tour, which has already taken him to Australia and Myanmar. Li is to conclude his visit to Japan Wednesday and leave for the Republic of Korea.

(Xinhua News Agency April 1, 2009)