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BEIJING, Oct. 25-- Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday called on China and Japan to work together to build more mature, steady and progressive bilateral ties. Li's remarks came as he delivered a speech at a reception marking the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship together with visiting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. "The China-Japan relationship has gone through wind and rain in the past four decades, yet peace, friendship and cooperation have always been the mainstream," Li said. "The elder generation of leaders of both countries showed great foresight and made a correct assessment of the situation 40 years ago to sign the treaty, which was another milestone in the history of bilateral ties following the normalization of relations between China and Japan in 1972. "The treaty established a general direction of peaceful coexistence and lasting friendship between China and Japan in the form of law and affirmed all principles in the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement. "The four political documents between China and Japan, including the treaty, laid a political and legal foundation for China-Japan ties and became the basic guiding principles for the healthy development of bilateral ties that should be firmly borne in mind. "On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the treaty, we need adhere to the general direction of peace, friendship and cooperation and conform to the trend of the times so as to jointly build a more mature, steady and progressive China-Japan ties." | 
