China-Japan relations to be carefully cherished: top Chinese legislator

China's top legislator said Tuesday that the current peaceful and friendly relations between China and Japan should be carefully cherished by both sides.

While meeting with a Japanese delegation of the Great Wall Program, headed by former President Ichiro Ozawa of the Japan Liberal Party, Wu Bangguo, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said that with concerted efforts in recent years, China and Japan have greatly developed bilateral trade and economic ties, increase exchange of personnel and enhance cooperation in an all-around way.

Wu said he expects the two sides to carry out the spirit of thethree political documents signed between the two countries, including the Sino-Japan Joint Statement, and carefully address concerns from each other.

Both sides need to take advantage of the positive factors and constrain negative factors in the bilateral relations, and deepen the political basis of the bilateral relations so as to enhance peaceful coexistence of the two countries, he said.

Wu said the Great Wall Program, which was initiated in 1989 forpromoting the people-to-people exchange between the two countries,has played an active role in enhancing mutual understanding of thetwo peoples.

Wu said he hopes various circles in China and Japan, especiallythe young generation, should strengthen dialogue and cooperation, which would benefit the overall relationship between the two countries.

Ozawa said the friendly relations between Japan and China are important for maintaining both regional and world security.

The Japanese side is willing to strengthen cooperation and exchange with the Chinese side and make contribution to the development of the bilateral relations between the two countries, Ozawa said.