Li Tieying, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met Monday with a Japanese delegation led by Yokomichi Takahiro, deputy head of the Democratic Party of Japan.

Li, also president of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that exchanges between political parties and statesmen of the two countries play an important role in promoting the smooth development of Sino-Japanese relations.

He called on statesmen of the two countries to treat Sino-Japanese relations from a strategic perspective and properly settle problems in bilateral relations, so as to push forward bilateral friendly and cooperative relations.

Takahiro said that at the turn of the century, the two countries should contribute to peace and development in Asia and the world at large.

The two countries need to promote mutual understanding and trust, and exchanges between younger generations of the two countries should also be strengthened, he said, adding that the Democratic Party of Japan will continue its efforts to promote Japan-China relations.

(People's Daily 09/19/2000)