国内英语新闻:Xi calls for joint efforts with Japan to bring relations back on track

BEIJING, May 4 (Xinhua) -- China and Japan should properly manage their contradictions and differences to bring bilateral relations back on track and strive for new developments, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Friday in a telephone conversation with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

For a period of time, Japan has released positive signals and taken positive actions on bilateral relations and China welcomes what Japan has done, Xi said during the conversation.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between China and Japan and bilateral relations are in a significant stage when both sides should inherit the past and usher in the future, Xi said.

Xi said that the two countries should go over the spirits of the peace and friendship treaty, abide by the principles of the four China-Japan political documents, implement the four-point consensus, keep promises and comply with rules.

Abe said that Japan attaches great importance to relations with China and is willing to take the opportunity of the 40 anniversary of signing of the treaty to push forward comprehensive improvement and development of bilateral relations.

Xi hopes that Japan can work together with China, bear in mind the overall and long-term interests and make choices which accord with their fundamental interests and benefit regional development, so as to ensure that bilateral relations consistently advance in the right direction.

As requested, Xi explained China's views and propositions on current situations of the Korean Peninsula. The leaders of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and South Korea met with each other at Panmunjom lately and issued a joint declaration, which are welcomed by China. As a close neighbor of the Korean Peninsula, China stays committed to upholding its peace and stability and to resolving issues through dialogue and consultation.

Xi said that China is willing to work with other parties to resolve respective concerns in a comprehensive and balanced way through dialogue and consultation, and jointly push for the long-term stability of the peninsula and the region, in which Xi hoped that Japan can play a constructive role.

Abe said Japan welcomes the positive changes on the Korean Peninsula and supports peaceful solutions to the issues through dialogue. Japan highly values China's important role in solving the Korean Peninsula issue and hopes to enhance communication with China.