(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-04-22 21:34

BEIJING - China's stance remains unchanged on forced labor and other issues left over from Japan's actions in World War II, said a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman.

Spokeswoman Jiang Yu made the remarks at a regular press conference Tuesday when commenting on a compromise settlement proposal made Monday by Japan's Fukuoka high court over a damages suit against the Japanese government and two Japanese companies. It was filed by 45 Chinese forced to work in mines in Fukuoka Prefecture during the war.

Jiang said that early settlement of the forced labor issue conformed to the common aspiration of people of the two countries and would help promote development of Sino-Japanese relations in a long-term, healthy and stable way.