TOKYO — Premier Li Keqiang on May 10 called upon Japan’s political parties to step up efforts to help promote relations between the two countries.

When meeting with Toshihiro Nikai, secretary-general of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), and Natsuo Yamaguchi, head of Komeito party, LDP’s ruling coalition partner, Premier Li said this year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship.

Noting that China-Japan ties have witnessed both significant progress and twists and turns during the 40 years, he urged the two sides to firmly stick to the direction of peace, friendship and cooperation, facilitate cooperation in various areas and promote steady and long-term development of bilateral relations, in accordance with the spirits of the four cornerstone political documents signed by the two countries.

China is willing to work with the LDP and Komeito to create a new future for China-Japan relations after all the rough times, the Premier said.

Premier Li Keqiang meets with heads or representatives of Japan’s opposition parties in Tokyo, Japan, on May 10, 2018.[Photo/Xinhua]

Coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the signing of the treaty, Premier Li’s visit to Japan has brought bilateral ties back to normal track, said leaders of the two ruling parties, adding that the Japanese side highly appreciates it.

As ruling parties, the LDP and Komeito expect to enhance party-to-party exchanges with the Chinese side and continue to make unremitting efforts to achieve bigger progress in carrying forward Japan-China relations, the parties’ heads said.

When meeting with heads or representatives of Japan’s opposition parties, including Yukio Edano, leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, Yuichiro Tamaki, representative of Democratic Party for the People, and Kazuo Shii, head of the Japanese Communist Party, Premier Li said China and Japan are neighbors that can never be moved away.

The two economies are complementary to each other with enormous cooperation potentials, Premier Li said.

The Premier urged the two countries to review the spirit of the treaty, and follow the principles set out in the treaty. Only by doing this can we rectify the route for China-Japan ties so as to ensure the relations go forward along the right track, Premier Li said.

The Premier expects all the parties present at the meeting to make proactive efforts to promote the healthy and steady development of China-Japan relations.

Heads or representatives of the opposition parties said Japan-China ties are important to the peace and stability and economic development of East Asia and the world.

They also praised Premier Li for the visit which has brought China-Japan bilateral relations back to track and taken an important step forward.

They expect to take the 40th anniversary of the signing of the treaty as an opportunity to expand exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.

The Premier arrived in Tokyo on May 10 for an official visit to Japan and to attend the 7th China-Japan-South Korea leaders’ meeting.

Premier Li’s visit to Japan is the first by a Chinese premier in eight years.