Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan on Saturday pledged to further personnel and youth exchanges with Japan to increase mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries.

Tang made the remarks while meeting with Koki Chuma, Japan's state minister in charge of administrative reform.

Tang expressed his appreciation for the "positive efforts" Chuma has made for promoting China-Japan cooperation in such areas as environmental protection, tourism, technology and trade.

Chuma said that Japan and China should enhance exchanges through various channels to improve bilateral relations.

Chuma visited China as guest of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and concluded his tour Saturday.

Sino-Japanese relations have been soured by Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's repeated visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, where Japan's war dead, including 14 convicted class A war criminals in World War II, are honored.

(Xinhua News Agency July 15, 2006)