Top political advisor Jia Qinglin said in Tokyo on Wednesday that China will work with Japan to push forward the sound and steady development of bilateral relations.

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, made the remarks at a meeting with Yohei Kono, speaker of the House of Representatives of the Japanese Diet.

Jia, who arrived in Tokyo earlier on Wednesday on an official goodwill visit to Japan as guest of the Japanese government, said that Sino-Japanese relationship is at a new starting point which cherishes important opportunities for further development.

The Chinese side will work with the Japanese side to seize the opportunities to strengthen friendly exchanges, enhance political mutual trust, deepen pragmatic cooperation, expand common interests, follow the spirit and principles enshrined in the three Sino-Japanese political documents including the joint statement, and properly handle major sensitive issues such the historical one, noted Jia.

He briefed Kono on the situations across the Taiwan Straits and China's principled position on the Taiwan question.

Kono said the Japanese Diet and people from all communities hope for and support the strengthening of exchanges and cooperation with China.

Kono voiced his understandings of China's position on the Taiwan question.

On Japan's political changes, Jia said this is Japan's internal affairs.

He said the Chinese government has always attached importance to the development of bilateral friendship and cooperation, and this policy will not change.

He said Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe played a positive and constructive role in improving Sino-Japanese ties.

Jia said he believed that the momentum for the improvement of bilateral ties will continue as the further growth of bilateral ties is in the fundamental interest of the two countries and the two peoples.

(Xinhua News Agency September 13, 2007)