will make every effort to provide real help and assistance for people in this region.

Japan should face up to history

It is a historical fact that "comfort women" issue is one of the serious crimes committed by Japanese troops during the World War II. Japan should face up to history, take the responsibility, and seriously view and properly handle the issue of "comfort women."

History, in my view, is a strong progressive force. It should not become a burden that impedes progress. Truth is always simple and plain. The Japanese Government should take history as a mirror and look forward to the future to properly handle the China-Japanese relations.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral diplomatic ties, and we should grasp this important opportunity to handle well the fundamental political issues concerning bilateral relationship and to expand and deepen exchanges and cooperation, and maintain and sustain the momentum for the turn-around, improvement and growth of China-Japan relations.

At the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Premier Wen Jiabao is going to pay an official visit to Japan in April. It will be the first time for a Chinese leader to visit the country in seven years, therefore the visit is of high significance in advancing and planning the cooperation between the two nations in all fields.

I still recall a line of Chinese characters that I saw when I was visiting a beautiful and old Japanese city Kyoto. I saw it in a temple of Kyoto, which reads, no one can block the road of advance. This strikes me, as lasting friendship between the peoples of China and Japan is the path that we should firmly stay on and no force can stop us from doing this.

Call upon Iran to step up cooperation with IAEA

China has faithfully fulfilled its obligation as a member of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. We firmly uphold integrity of the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. We have always stood for peaceful resolution of the Iran nuclear issue through diplomatic efforts, because this is in the interests of all sides concerned. China has taken part in negotiations of five plus one (the five permanent member states of the UN Security Council plus Germany) from its very beginning. We believe that the resolution adopted by the United Nations should be implemented.

We welcome, support and also call upon Iran to step up its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). We hope that Iran will cherish its negotiation channels with the countries of the European Union, Russia and other countries. In my view, nothing else on earth is more precious than peace. We hope that all the efforts from the international community could help restore diplomatic negotiations, and all the actions by the UN Security Council will boost peace and stability in this region.

Ready to consult with Japan on East China Sea

In October last year, China and Japan overcame political obstacles and reached agreements on facilitating healthier development of bilateral relations, which brought the Sino-Japanese ties back to the right track to improvement and development. The result came from concerted efforts of both countries, efforts of both governments and peoples. It didn't come by easily and should be dearly cherished by both countries.

We will continue to work with the Japanese side to work for the healthy and steady development of China-Japan relations. We stand ready to grow friendly relationship and good-neighborly relationship as well as cooperation with Japan in all spirit of three political documents between the two countries. We also set ready to enhance cooperation with Japan in all areas including economy, trade, science, technology, environmental protection as well as regional and international affairs. We will also carry forward on consultation with Japan regarding the issue of East China Sea. We shall stay focused on making joint development and try to find a way acceptable to both sides to resolve this issue, so that we will make the sea a sea of friendship, cooperation and peace. We also hope to see that Japan plays an important role in regional and international affairs.