Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said he hoped people from both China and Japan will overcome difficulties to ensure sound and steady development of bilateral relations in the new century.

Jia made the remarks Wednesday at a meeting with Honorary President Gotoda Masaharu of the Japan-China Friendship Center.

Jia praised Gotoda for his contributions to the development of Sino-Japanese friendship in the past years and pointed to the development of bilateral relations through joint efforts of the two governments and non-governmental institutions, especially the good momentum for bilateral economic and trade cooperation and personnel exchanges.

Jia noted that China and Japan are two influential countries in the Asian-Pacific region, and their relationship will not only affect the fundamental interests of the two peoples, but also the prosperity and stability of Asia and the world at large.

He said the Chinese government has always paid great attention to bilateral friendship and cooperation from a strategic height and long-term perspective.

The Chinese side holds that the two countries should, under the guidance of the three bilateral political documents including the Sino-Japanese joint statement and in the spirit of learning from the history and facing up to the future, enhance political mutual trust and expand economic cooperation of mutual benefit, stressed Jia.

Gotoda said it is inevitable that Japan and China have problems during their contact because they are neighbors. But what is more important is that both sides should make efforts to enhance mutual understandings and trust through dialogues.

He said he is convinced that the current difficulties in bilateral relationship can be overcome.

Gotoda is here as guest of the China-Japan Friendship Association.