Over 30 Chinese and Japanese experts discussed the development of Sino-Japanese friendship in the new century at the 14th session of the 21st Century Committee for Sino-Japanese friendship held Haikou on Sunday.

Representatives from the foreign ministries of the two countries read the messages of congratulations respectively from Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori.

Participants to the meeting agreed that the new century will offer new opportunities for the development of Sino-Japanese relations. The committee members said they will devote themselves to promoting the sound and stable development of the two countries' relations, contributing to world peace and development.

(Xinhua 12/25/2000)