Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing Monday reiterated that Japanese leaders should not visit the Yasukuni Shrine, which honours 14 convicted Class-A war criminals held responsible for aggression against other nations.

Li made the remark in a meeting with representatives of Japan's three governing parties, including Taku Yamasaki, secretary-general of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Tetsuzo Fuyushiba, secretary-general of the New Komeito Party, and Toshihiro Nikai, secretary-general of the New Conservative Party.

He hoped both sides will properly deal with existing issues and improve bilateral ties by both learning from history and looking forward to the future.

It is important not to forget the lessons of history, Li noted, but he added that history should not become a burden either.

He called on Japanese political parties to make joint efforts in promoting Sino-Japanese friendship.

"Peaceful co-existence and friendly exchange between China and Japan are not only the common wish of our peoples but also of great importance to regional stability and world peace,'' Li said.

Li also urged the promotion of friendship between young people of the two countries by giving them more exchange opportunities and study programmes.

The representatives praised China's efforts to realize the six-country talks on the nuclear issue involving the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the United States, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Russia.

They agreed to make joint efforts to boost Sino-Japan bilateral ties for mutual benefit.

Li also separately met representatives of Japan's other three major parties -- the Democratic Party of Japan, the Social Democratic Party and the Komei Party.

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