Japan should take substantial actions to improve Sino-Japanese relations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said in Beijing Tuesday.

Kong told a regular press conference in the afternoon that China had taken note of the speech by the Japanese prime minister and foreign minister on attaching importance to Japan's relations with China.

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi vowed on Jan. 20 in his annual policy speech to develop the future-oriented relations with China. Describing China as a very important neighbor, Koizumi said, "We will strengthen cooperation from a comprehensive standpoint to construct future-oriented relations based on trust."

Following Koizumi, Foreign Minister Taro Aso said in his speech that strengthening relations with China is an unswerving fundamental policy of Japan.

When asked to comment, Kong Quan said the Japanese side should take concrete, substantial action to improve bilateral relations.

The Chinese government, based on the spirit of learning from history and looking into the future, would continue its efforts to promote friendly and cooperative relations between China and Japan, the spokesman said.

Source: Xinhua