Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao delivers a speech to the Japanese parliament in Tokyo April 12, 2007. Wen made a pitch for new strategic ties with Japan, but also urged Tokyo to live up to its apologies for wartime aggression and never to support Taiwan independence. [Reuters]

TOKYO -- Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Thursday advocated five principles for guiding the future development of China-Japan relations.

China's aim is to push forward China-Japan relations to a historic stage and realize the goal of "peaceful coexistence, friendship for generations, mutually-beneficial cooperation and common development," Wen said in his speech delivered in the Japanese parliament.

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In order to achieve the goal, the Chinese premier said that the following principles should be practised.

-- To enhance mutual trust and honor commitments.

The three political documents including the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement are the bedrock for China-Japan relations. Under whatever circumstances, as long as both sides adhere to the principles prescribed in the documents, bilateral ties will be able to develop smoothly.

China hopes that Japan recognizes the high sensitivity of the Taiwan issue, honors its commitment and handles it discreetly.

-- To consider the overall interests of both countries and in the meantime seek common ground and shelve differences.

It should be admitted that China and Japan differ in opinion on some concrete interests and issues. Their common interests, however, outweigh the divergence of views. As long as the two countries, from the long-term, strategic perspective, conduct dialogue and consultations with confidence and sincerity, the problems will be resolved in time.

-- To pursue common development on the basis of equality and mutual benefit.

China and Japan, as two highly complementary economies, have great potential and promise broad prospects for cooperation, and the two countries are increasingly dependent on each other in economy.

The economic development of China and Japan is by no means a threat but an opportunity for the two countries.

Premier Wen said that he and his Japanese counterpart, Shinzo Abe, agreed in their talks on Wednesday on the establishment of a mechanism of high-level economic dialogue to elevate bilateral economic cooperation to a higher level.

And the two sides will boost cooperation in areas of energy, environmental protection, finance, high technology, information and telecommunications and intellectual property in the near future, he said.

-- To strengthen exchanges with an eye on the future.

Economic cooperation and cultural exchanges serve as two important links among countries. Leaders of both countries have agreed to enhance personnel and cultural exchanges. The Chinese side is willing to work with Japan to formulate and implement a large-scale exchange program between young Chinese and Japanese.

-- To conduct close consultations to cope with challenges.

China and Japan are two major nations in Asia and in the world at large, and China-Japan relations exert great influence on the region as well as the world. Thus, the two sides need to strengthen coordination and cooperation in a concerted effort to safeguard peace and stability in Northeast Asia, to promote a regional cooperative process and invigorate Asia.

Also from this perspective, China and Japan need to work together to tackle such global issues as energy security, environmental protection, climate change, disease control and prevention as well as anti-terrorism, crackdown on transnational crime and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

China has made brilliant achievements in its social and economic development drive since adopting the reform and opening-up policy 29 years ago, Wen told the Japanese lawmakers.

And China's development will contribute to the development of neighboring countries as well as across the world, he added.

China has always carried on a fine tradition of advocating virtues, sincerity and trust, and good-neighborly relations instead of resorting to force, and will hold high the banner of peace, development and cooperation and stick to the path of peaceful development, said the Chinese premier.

Despite the trials and hardships in the development of China-Japan relations, the foundation of friendship between the two peoples has always been firm and unshakable, he said, calling for joint efforts to maintain friendship for generations and forge China-Japan strategically reciprocal relations.

The Chinese premier arrived here Wednesday for a three-day official visit to Japan.