Tang Jiaxuan, former State Councilor, makes a keynote speech at the ninth Beijing-Tokyo Forum in Beijing, Oct 26, 2013. [Photo by Xu Jingxing / chinadaily.com.cn]

BEIJING - China and Japan should rebuild faith to overcome difficulties and strive for sound bilateral ties and the peaceful development of East Asia, former State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said in his keynote speech at the ninth Beijing-Tokyo Forum here on Saturday.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of China-Japan Peace and Friendship Treaty. Tang said the primary task for the two countries is to re-read the essence of the treaty and carry out its spirit so as to solve the current thorny issues.

Signed in 1978, the milestone document outlines the obligations to peacefully handle disputes and sensitive issues through bilateral negotiations.

The former state councilor held facing up to history as the first step to eliminate disturbance of Chinese-Japanese ties. He also urged Japan to respect history, and find an early solution by negotiations.

"I hope Japan regards China as a friend rather than a threat, and China's development as an opportunity than as a crisis," Tang added.

Tang, who is also a former foreign minister and a veteran diplomat in Japanese affairs, said the core spirits of the treaty were peaceful co-existence by taking history as a mirror, long-time friendship by mutual respect, and co-development by cooperation.

"A peaceful, friendly, cooperative, beneficial and win-win road is the only right choice for the two countries," said Tang.

Moreover, Tang suggested China and Japan achieve a win-win cooperation by seeking common ground while reserving differences.

"The peaceful development of East China is inseparable from sound China-Japan ties," Tang said. "I hope the two countries make joint efforts to improve the bilateral relations, and therefore contribute to the future of East Asia," Tang said.

Tang said he is glad that the current mainstream public in China and Japan hopes for improved bilateral ties.

Despite the goodwill between the two countries that has dropped to a record low in recent years, according a poll released by China Daily and Japan's non-profit organization Genron NPO in August, more than 70 percent of the public approves the importance of the China-Japan relationship.

The annual Beijing-Tokyo Forum, co-sponsored by China Daily and Japanese think tank Genron NPO, has been held alternately in Beijing and Tokyo since 2005.