China hopes Japan's new government will work with China to overcome difficulties in bilateral relations, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said on Wednesday.

At a daily press briefing, Hua Chunying also said that China hopes Japan will make concrete efforts to bring relations back on track of normal development.

She made the comments after being asked what China expects from Japan's new government and its new prime minister Shinzo Abe.

Hua said China believes that sound and stable development of China-Japan relations is in the interests of both countries and would benefit peaceful development of Asia.

"China is willing to work with Japan for a healthy and stable development of bilateral relations and will pay close attention to the direction of Japan's development," Hua said.

She added, "China hopes Japan takes a peaceful development path and plays a constructive role in regional peace."

She pointed out that the Chinese Government's position on the Diaoyu Islands is clear and consistent and is unswerving in its resolve to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"China has always advocated to resolve territorial disputes through dialogue and negotiations. We hope Japan works with China with sincerity and makes real efforts to solve relevant problems through dialogue and negotiations," she said.

(Xinhua News Agency December 26, 2012)