The complete opening to group Chinese citizens' travel to Japan would bring new opportunities for the two countries to further expand cooperation in tourism, said Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi in Beijing Saturday.

China and Japan earlier Saturday jointly announced the new decision which will be implemented from July 25. Currently, group Chinese citizens from eight provinces and municipalities including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong Province are allowed to travel to Japan.

Addressing a reception to mark the Sino-Japanese tourism exchanges, Wu said tourism plays an important role in increasing mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples and in promoting healthy and stable development of bilateral relations.

"The long-term friendly exchange between the Chinese and Japanese peoples is the root for Sino-Japanese relations," Wu noted.

In order to push forward such relationship in a healthy and stable way, the two sides should, in line with the spirit of taking history as a mirror and looking forward to the future, increase mutual trust, strengthen cooperation, and fully implement President Hu Jintao's five-point proposals made in Jakarta on improving bilateral ties, Wu said.

"This is in accordance with the fundamental interests of the two peoples and is conducive to peace and development of the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large," she said.

Wu hoped all circles from China and Japan to show concern about the Sino-Japanese friendship and take more actions beneficial to the friendship between the two peoples.

"China is ready to make joint efforts with Japan to promote the healthy development of bilateral good-neighborly friendship," Wu said.

Visiting Japanese Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kitagawa Kazuo said China is the most important friend of Japan. In a bid to enhance Japan-China mutual understanding and friendly exchanges, he would continue his efforts to expand tourism exchanges with China and to promote Japan-China friendship, he said.

Source: Xinhua