Chinese Vice-Premier Wen Jiabao Monday told visiting Hatoyama Yukio, head of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), that cooperation between China and Japan will help promote the security and development of the two countries.

Hatoyama Kukio is now in Beijing at the invitation of the Communist Party of China. It is his first visit to China since Hatoyama Yukio became the head of the DPJ.

Wen said during the meeting that China and Japan should conduct more cooperation and dialogue so as to promote mutual trust. He added that the development of Sino-Japanese relations is conducive to safeguarding the security and prosperity of the two countries, and contributes to peace and development of east Asia and the world on the whole.

Hatoyama Kukio said that he visited China four years ago, and great changes have taken place during the past four years.

He noted that Japan should recognize the fact that it invaded China and brought pains to the Chinese people.

"We should learn from history, improve mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries," he said.

(Xinhua 12/11/2000)