China sincerely seeks improved relations with Japan and hopes Japan will reciprocate to help create conditions favorable for the improvement of bilateral ties, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan told visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura on Monday.

"As long as the two sides can properly handle historical and Taiwan issues, the political foundation of the Sino-Japanese relationship will be consolidated, bilateral ties will be strengthened and the cause of Sino-Japanese friendship will be improved in a comprehensive way," said Tang.

Tang stated that Japan had "repeatedly failed the trust of the Chinese people" and had been "driving in reverse gear" on issues like history and Taiwan in recent years.

He indicated that this had damaged relations between the two nations and the friendship between the two peoples, which had been nurtured by generations of political leaders.

Tang urged Japan to "seriously review" what it had done and take concrete action to correct its mistakes.

Because both countries have significant international influence, Tang said that friendship between them was in the fundamental interest of both, as well as to the region and the world.

"This should be a fundamental stand for the two governments and people from all circles in both countries to adhere to while examining and handling bilateral ties," Tang added.

Machimura said that Japan is aware of China's strong concerns over issues like history and Taiwan.

He indicated that there has been no change of Japan's attitude of remorse as expressed by former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama in 1995, nor has there been any change in its stance on the Taiwan issue as stated in the three treaties that form the foundation of diplomatic relations between China and Japan.

The minister said that Japan hoped to cooperate with China in a wide range of areas, including the hosting of the Olympic Games, and would make utmost efforts to advance the relationship between the two countries.

(Xinhua News Agency April 18, 2005)