BEIJING, Feb. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao has urged Japan to take substantial and sincere measures to improve China-Japan relations.

    Liu told a press conference on Tuesday that Japanese leaders' repeated visits to the Yasukuni Shrine honoring committed war criminals of World War II have brought the China-Japan relations to the current difficult situation.

    China has always taken a clear and firm attitude on the issue, which is also stated clearly in the three political documents signed by the two countries.

    "We hope that the Japanese side cast away illusions and stop seeking excuses to whitewash history, or even shift the responsibility onto the Chinese side," Liu said.

    Referring to the China visit of Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Toshihiro Nikai, Liu confirmed that Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and State councilor Tang Jiaxuan will meet with Nikai.

    When asked to comment on current China-Japan economic ties, Liu said bilateral economic cooperation is generally good at present.

    "But we hope the Japanese side would take a sincere attitude to resolve the existing political difficulties, " Liu said.

Kazakh FM to visit China

    Kasymzhomart Tokayev, minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, will pay an official visit to China from Feb. 26 to March 1 at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing.

    Foreign Ministry Spokesman Liu Jianchao said that Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan will meet with Tokayev respectively and the two foreign ministers will hold talks.

    He said the two sides will exchange views on the development of bilateral relations, and the strengthening of cooperation between members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will be an important topic as the SCO summit is to be held in Shanghai this year.

    "The Chinese side attaches great importance to Tokayev's forthcoming visit and hopes it will further promote bilateral friendship and cooperation." said the spokesman.

    He said Kazakhstan is one of China's very important neighbors and the two countries enjoy sound cooperation in various fields such as politics, economy, trade, anti-terrorism, and fighting against "three forces", namely, separatism, extremism and terrorism.

    The two countries have also enjoyed good relations within the framework of the SCO, said Liu, and have strengthened links in the economic and trade fields.

Premier Wen to meet Japanese Minister of Economy

    Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will meet Japan's Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Toshihiro Nikai who began his three-day China visit on Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said.

    Liu told a regular press conference that during his stay in Beijing, Toshihiro Nikai will also meet Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan.

    Besides, Toshihiro Nikai is scheduled to exchange views with Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai on economic and trade issues of common concern, said Chinese Ministry of Commerce on Monday.

Iran nuclear issue

    China supports the negotiations on the Iran nuclear issue between Russia and Iran and hopes for a positive outcome, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said.

    China noted that the talks began on Monday and are still going on, Liu told reporters at a regular news briefing.

    China holds that Iran should suspend all enrichment-related activities and create favorable conditions for the settlement of the issue, the spokesman said.

    "China will, as always, communicate with the parties concerned,and continue to make diplomatic efforts to properly handle the issue within the framework of the International Atomic Energy Agency," he added. Enditem