Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi on Wednesday called for joint efforts to improve relations with Japan during a meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. 

Yang said that stronger relations benefit the peoples of both countries and contribute to regional peace and stability. 

Yang said that China and Japan should take the opportunity to enhance positive factors and eliminate the negative ones while upholding the spirit of using history as a mirror while looking to the future.

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi meets with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo, Japan on May 31, 2017. /CGTN Photo

Abe said that Japan is willing to enhance communication with China, expand cooperation and deepen coordination on international and regional issues.

Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi meets with representatives from the Japan Business Federation and seven Japan-China friendship groups in Tokyo on May 30, 2017. /Xinhua Photo

Yang is on a three-day visit to Japan which began on Monday. Earlier, he held talks with Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and met with representatives from the Japan Business Federation and seven Japan-China friendship groups. 

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties, and next year is the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between China and Japan.

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