Li Zhanshu (R), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), meets with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 26, 2018. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING -- Top legislator Li Zhanshu on Friday met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, calling for steady and progressive development of bilateral ties.

Li, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), said this year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, and relations between the two countries are at an important point.

He called on the two sides to enhance the sense of mission and responsibility to implement high-level political consensus on the basis of the four political documents between China and Japan, adhere to the direction of peaceful coexistence and lasting friendship, cement political mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, develop the friendship between the Chinese and Japanese people, so as to achieve steady and progressive development of bilateral relations.

"The NPC stands ready to enhance exchanges at various levels between legislative bodies of the two countries, therefore providing political, legal and policy support for the development of bilateral ties," Li said.

Abe said Japan attaches great importance to relations with China and welcomes China's development.

He said Japan hopes to take the 40th anniversary of the signing of the treaty as an opportunity to promote high-level exchanges, facilitate cooperation across the board, and push Japan-China relations into a new stage of development.

Li Zhanshu (1st R), chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), meets with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 26, 2018. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)