State Councilor Yang Jiechi met with visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono in Beijing on Jan 28.

“The two sides should take the opportunity of the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship to eliminate barriers and promote improvement of ties,” Yang said.

He called on both sides to respect each other’s core interests and major concerns, abide by the principles of the four China-Japan political documents, and properly handle sensitive issues, including regarding history.

Yang also asked the two countries to “control differences and expand win-win cooperation, to push forward ties on a sound track of improvement and development.”

Kono said his government was ready to cement political trust and concrete cooperation with China, enhance high-level exchanges and contacts among various levels, to promote full improvement of ties.

Kono is on an official visit to China from Jan 27 to 28.