Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), meets Speaker Kono Yohei of Japan's House of Representatives in Beijing on Monday, Sept. 20, 2004.

Only if correctly treating historical facts could historical tragedy be avoided from happening again, Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo said Monday.

Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), made the remarks during the talks with Speaker Kono Yohei of Japan's House of Representatives. The two sides exchanged in-depth views on promoting bilateral friendly cooperation and other issues of common concern.

Wu said China and Japan, as two important neighboring countries, share traditional exchanges and cultural origins. Since the two countries realized normalization of diplomatic relations over 30 years ago, China and Japan had worked together for the great progress on exchanges and cooperation in various fields, such as economy, trade and personnel exchanges, which brought concrete benefits to the two countries, Wu noted.

The Sino-Japanese friendship had been rooted with the signing of the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Peace and Friendship 26 years ago, and the treaty also legalized the principle on handling historical and Taiwan issues, which had been enshrined in the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement, Wu said.

"The current Sino-Japanese relations attribute to the joint efforts made by farsighted statesmen, which was not easily achieved and should be cherished," he added.

No matter at present or in the future, the two sides should adhere to the overall direction of the Sino-Japanese friendship, and constantly expand common interests, Wu said.

He added that the two sides should attach great importance to the issues concerned and properly handle them. Proper treatment of and solution to historical and Taiwan issues is the political basis for Sino-Japanese relations, Wu said.

Wu said China has always held that "learning from history, and looking to the future" is the correct attitude to handle the historical issue.

He noted that the Taiwan issue, China's core issue, is related to Chinese sovereignty and territorial integrity, and affects the feeling of 1.3 billion Chinese people. China has been concerned over Japan's stance and act on this issue, Wu said, hoping that Japan would understand the importance of the situation in the Taiwan Straits, observe its own commitment, do more to improve China's reunification cause and not send wrong signals to Taiwan authorities.

The top legislator said that China has treated the relationship with Japan from the global and strategic height, and the new collective leadership will continue to develop the good-neighboring relations with Japan.

He said that China and Japan, both influential countries in Asia, have shouldered the responsibilities in safeguarding regional peace and stability, as well as promoting common progress.

The two sides should take the historical opportunities and increase communication and consultation to enhance regional cooperation and Asia's prosperity, he said.

Wu noted that the parliamentary exchanges play an irreplaceable role in enhancing state-to-state relations. The NPC has attached importance to the relations with the Japanese Diet, and hoped to further the exchanges between the two sides in all fields.

Kono Yohei said that he agrees with Wu on following the three political documents between Japan and China, as well as Wu's stance on the historical issue and the Taiwan issue.

He said that the invading war, resulting from the wrong policy of the Japanese militarists, has brought about disasters to China and other Asian countries. This historical lesson should be remembered forever, he noted.

He said that Japan adheres to the one-China policy, and will not support "Taiwan independence".

Kono Yohei said that he comes to China as the speaker of Japan's House of Representatives to deliver the friendliness of his country and people. Under current circumstances, a closer relationship between Japan and China benefits the two countries, and is conducive to Asia and the world as well, he said, adding that as China's old friend, he would like to contribute to this relationship.