Sino-Japanese relations 'at a new historical starting point'

Beijing and Tokyo vowed to promote the steady development of bilateral relations on Friday, as a veteran Chinese diplomat visited Japan ahead of the Group of 20 summit.

"The Sino-Japanese relationship is standing at a new historical starting point and facing important opportunities," said Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, while meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo.

"China is willing to work with Japan to promote the steady development of bilateral relations on the right track," Yang said, adding that such developments should be guided by the consensus made by the two countries' leaders and should stick to the direction of "peace, friendship and cooperation".