CHANGSHA -- Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi on Monday called on Japan to make constructive efforts to remove political obstacle to bilateral ties.

Wu told Nikai Toshihiro, visiting Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister, a political chill between the two countries has had a negative impact on bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Developing friendly relations with Japan is very important, she said, expressing her hope the two sides could promote their peaceful co-existence, mutual benefits and long-term friendship.

The vice premier said stable, long-term, good-neighborly ties are in the fundamental interests of the two countries and their peoples.

Wu said trade and economic ties are important to overall relations between the two countries which have compatible economies. She called on the two sides to continue to expand cooperation in trade.

Nikai Toshihiro is heading a delegation of some one thousand Japanese business people who are attending the First Central China Investment and Trade Expo scheduled to open Monday evening.

Wu told Nikai Toshihiro that she hopes Japanese companies could learn more about China's central regions during the Expo, and further expand their investment in China.

Nikai Toshihiro said Japan-China relations are vitally important. Japan is ready to make positive efforts to promote long-term friendship and stronger trade and economic ties between the two countries.

The four-day Expo will focus on investment and tourism in six central provinces, including Shanxi, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hebei and Hunan. About ten thousand foreign business people are to attend the Expo. Enditem