The second Beijing-Tokyo Forum with the theme of "the future of Asia and the new type of Sino-Japanese relations" opened Thursday morning.

At the opening ceremony attended by 400 people from all circles of the two countries, Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wang Yi expounded the Chinese government's policy on Japan.

The Chinese ambassador said that improving the Sino-Japanese relations has become a common demand of the peoples of the two countries, and efforts should be made to pull the bilateral ties out of the current impasse.

It is crucial for the governments of China and Japan to share a right view on history and overcome the political difficulties, he added.

Wang noted that a correct historic viewpoint would provide opportunities and driving powers for the establishment of long- lasting and stable ties between the two countries, and China is looking forward to making a goodwill reply to the Japanese side's wise decision.

The ambassador also called for the restoration of mutual trust between the two sides. Like personal relations, the ties between countries also need to be built on mutual trust, he said.

Wang called for a review of the three political documents, including the Sino-Japanese Joint Declaration, and the solemn commitment made by politicians of the older generation of the two countries, and the establishment of a new mutual trust between current leaders of the two countries.

On his part, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe said relations between Japan and China is one of the most important bilateral ties, and it is necessary for the two countries to strengthen cooperation, promote understanding and exchanges between the two peoples, and widen the common interests.

The annual two-day forum, the first of which was held in Aug. 2005 in Beijing, is jointly sponsored by the China Daily, Peking University and a Japanese nonpolitical organization.

It attracts about 60 prominent figures from political, economic, academic and media circles of the two countries, who will hold discussions on how to improve the Sino-Japanese ties.

Source: Xinhua