Tokyo, May 29th—Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, met here today with Toshihiro Nikai, former Secretary-General of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party and Chairman of the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians' Union.  

Liu said, over the past decades, Toshihiro Nikai has made important contributions to developing China-Japan relations and enhancing friendship between the two peoples, which is admirable and respected. The China-Japan friendship is inseparable from the efforts of generations of people from both countries. Both sides should carry forward the fine traditions of the older generations of leaders of the two countries, think and steer China-Japan relations from a strategic perspective, abide by the principles of the four China-Japan political documents, grasp and carry on the positive factors in China-Japan relations, suppress and control negative factors, strengthen political party exchanges, promote youth exchanges, and establish a correct understanding towards each other, and help build China-Japan relations that meet the requirements of the new era.  

Toshihiro Nikai reviewed his experiences in exchanges with the Chinese side, and said that there are indeed problems between Japan and China that need to be resolved, but this requires both sides to strengthen communication and exchanges. As long as both sides carry forward the working spirit of the older generation of "well-diggers", there will be no difficulties that cannot be overcome. Toshihiro Nikai expressed his willingness to continue to make efforts to promote youth exchanges between the two countries and enhance Japan-China friendship.  

The meeting was also attended by Hiroshi Moriyama, Chairperson of the General Council of the Liberal Democratic Party, and Yuko Obuchi, Chief Secretary of the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians’ Union.