Chinese, Japanese communities pledge friendship

BEIJING - Communities from China and Japan have pledged to make further contributions to boost the friendship between the  two countries.

The pledge came after a meeting between Tang Jiaxuan, head of the China-Japan Friendship Association and Tomiichi Murayama, former Japanese prime minister and honorary advisor to the Japan-China Friendship Association, and its body's head, Koichi Kato.

Noting that China and Japan are important close neighbors, Tang said it is of the two sides' interests to maintain healthy development of bilateral relations and the common wish of the region as well as the international community.

China-Japan relationship is at a critical moment, he said, adding that the two sides should use history as a mirror and look into the future to properly handle challenges and improve the relationship under the principles of the four political documents signed by the two countries.

He said he hoped friendly communities of the two countries will take up the mission, lead the nations' friendship and make further contributions to it.

Tomiichi Murayama said no power can damage the development of Japan-China relations.

He said the two sides should expand communication in all fields under the principles of the four political documents and advance the strategic and mutually beneficial relationship between Japan and China.

Koichi Kato said the two countries need to strengthen political mutual trust, cement the foundation of their ties and promote the development of the relationship.