China's top legislator meets Japanese PM

Wu Bangguo (1st R), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), meets with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda (1st L) in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 26, 2011. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Wu Bangguo and visiting Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda vowed to enhance exchanges between parliaments and in other fields during their meeting on Monday.

Speaking highly of the "important role" of the regular exchange mechanisms between China's National People's Congress (NPC) and the National Diet of Japan in promoting the improvement of China-Japan relations, Wu said the two sides should continue to make full use of these platforms.

With these platforms, the two sides could strengthen exchanges and dialogues on each other's domestic and foreign policies, development paths and other issues of common concern, so as to promote mutual understanding and trust, and to spur more statesmen, especially the younger ones, to pay attention to, and support the development of, China-Japan relations, said Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of NPC, China's top legislative body.

Noda echoed Wu, saying the Japanese side was ready to join hands with the Chinese side to take next year's 40th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to further strengthen friendly exchanges between governments, political parties, parliaments, localities and young people, so as to promote the development of bilateral ties.

On bilateral ties, Wu stressed that the significance of China-Japan relations goes beyond a bilateral relationship, and the Chinese side attaches great importance to it.

"Next year is a significant year for bilateral ties. The two sides should go with the stream of the era and properly handle the development direction of the ties," Wu said.

He called on the two sides to strengthen political mutual trust and cooperation in all fields, hold exchange activities to mark the 40th anniversary, enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, and push the China-Japan strategic reciprocal ties to advance on a healthy and stable track.

Noda said Japan and China are neighbors, as well as the world's third and second largest economies, respectively. China's development is an opportunity for Japan and the international community, and is conducive to both regional and world peace, stability and development.

After the meeting, Noda also met with Chinese President Hu Jintao. Noda wrapped up his two-day official visit on Monday around noon.

Wu Bangguo (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), meets with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 26, 2011. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)