The development of Japanese-Chinese friendship and the promotion of the bilateral trade relations are conducive to peace and prosperity of the region and even the world, Japanese House of Representatives Speaker Yohei Kono said in Tokyo Wednesday.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to China in October marked a sign of improvement and a restart of the Japanese-Chinese ties, and the development of the bilateral relationship needs further efforts from the two sides, said Kono, who is also chairman of Japan's Association for the Promotion of International Trade.

Kono said on the association's new year party that he apprehended Chinese leaders' sincerity on mending ties with Japan during his visit to China late last year.

He pledged to make efforts to further promote the friendship between the two countries and the development of bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

Source: Xinhua