Senior legislator Sheng Huaren met with a Japanese parliamentary delegation in Beijing on Sunday, both pledging to promote further improvement of China-Japan ties following Premier Wen Jiabao's "ice-melting" trip.

 

The delegation, led by President Komura Masahiko of the Japanese Association of Dietmen League for Japan-China Friendship, is visiting China with an aim to facilitate bilateral parliamentary exchanges.

 

China's National People's Congress (NPC) has launched regular exchange mechanism with both Japanese House of Councilors and the House of Representatives.

 

The third regular meeting between NPC and the Japanese House of Representatives will be held in Beijing in coming July.

 

China hopes the two countries' parliaments would cement exchanges at various levels in future, said Sheng, vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee.

 

He believed the delegation is visiting China at an important moment when bilateral political ties have been improved.

 

Premier Wen has made a successful "ice-melting" trip to Japan in April, he said, adding it further consolidated the momentum for improving and developing China-Japan relations.

 

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan relations. Sheng said the development of China-Japan friendly ties not only benefits the two peoples, but also has important impact on world peace and stability.

 

In response, Komura Masahiko said the exchanges between the two countries' congressmen are very important. He pledged the Japanese diet men league will contribute more to enhancing friendship between the two peoples.

 

The league is one of the seven Japanese organizations for Japan-China friendship. The delegation is here at the invitation of China-Japan Friendship Association.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 30, 2007)