China voiced thanks in Beijing on Friday for Japan's earthquake relief assistance after the country suffered a 7.8 magnitude earthquake, the worst in 30 years, in the southwest Sichuan Province.

Wang Jiarui, head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee made the marks in his meeting with Noda Takeshi, visiting chairman of the Japan-China Society on Friday afternoon. He also briefed his guest on the latest situation in the quake-stricken area.

Wang called on China and Japan to step up bilateral relations to a higher level by further implementing the important consensus reached between Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to Japan last week.

Noda Takeshi expressed his sympathy to China, saying that he appreciates the Chinese government's disaster-relief efforts.

Noda Takeshi said President Hu's visit to Japan "bears remarkable historical significance", and that the Japanese side will work closely with China, with the aim of promoting bilateral relations.

(Xinhua News Agency May 16, 2008)