China and Japan agree to ensure healthy development of bilateral ties
CGTN
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Toshihiro Nikai (L), secretary general of Japan's LDP, is greeted by China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) before their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, August 31, 2018. (Photo: VCG)

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Toshihiro Nikai, general secretary of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in Beijing on Thursday, with both sides expressing their satisfaction with the recent improvement in bilateral ties and agreeing to further promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral ties. 

It's the second meeting this year for Wang and Nikai. 

The Chinese foreign minister said as this year marks 40 years since the historic Peace and Friendship Treaty came into effect, it is an important link between the past and future. 

He said both sides should go back to their origin and safeguard the political foundation of Sino-Japanese relations. 

Wang added the two sides should bear in mind the important mission of rebuilding the friendship between the two peoples, and stay true to the mission. 

He also said China and Japan should review their promises that neither Japan nor China seeks hegemony in the region and jointly oppose the establishment of such hegemony by any other countries. 

Wang told Nikai that China and Japan should advance with the times and jointly push forward the construction of the East Asian Economic Community. 

Nikai said he hopes the two countries can maintain their momentum in improving relations. 

"This time, the well-known Japanese painter Koji Kinutani is also in our delegation to China. We will visit his art exhibition at Tsinghua University. We hope this could also help promote cultural exchanges between the two nations," said Nikai. 

On Friday afternoon, Nikai also held talks with Chinese Commerce Minister Zhong Shan to strengthen cooperation in economy and trade. The two countries rank among the other's top trading partners. 

Analysts say increasing high-level interactions between the two sides could pave the way for better bilateral relations.