Chinese President Jiang Zemin told a delegation of Japan's three ruling coalition parties Tuesday that the two countries should live in harmony over future generations, overcoming differences in their perceptions of World War II during which they were enemies, Japanese officials said.
"Facing past history, we must associate with each other to our remotest descendants," Jiang was quoted as saying.
Jiang made the remark during a meeting with the secretaries general of the parties -- Hiromu Nonaka of the Liberal Democratic Party, Tetsuzo Fuyushiba of New Komeito and Takeshi Noda of the New Conservative Party.
Jiang did not refer to any concrete issues, the officials said, but China has voiced criticism every time senior Japanese officials have downplayed Japan's invasion of China and other war deeds.