BEIJING, Dec. 24 -- Top Chinese political advisor Yu Zhengsheng on Tuesday called on Japan to take actions to mend bilateral ties.

"China urges Japan to have a correct perception of China's growth, pursue a positive and friendly policy toward China, properly deal with problems and take tangible actions to mend ties," Yu said during his meeting with former Japanese prime minister Yukio Hatoyama.

"Japan-China relations now face their grimmest situation since the two countries normalized their diplomatic ties in 1972," said Hatoyama, who is paying his eighth visit to China this year.

China and Japan have seen few high-level political contacts since the Japanese government announced in September 2012 that it would "purchase" part of the Diaoyu Islands, a move that contributed to the disintegration of bilateral relations.

Yu, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), stressed the importance of relations between China and Japan as neighbors.

"It is in the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples to develop long-term sound and stable bilateral relations that work for peace, stability and development in Asia and in the world," Yu said.

Yu underscored China's commitment to observing the four political documents between the two countries, following the spirit of "taking history as a mirror and facing up to the future," and advancing bilateral strategic and mutually-beneficial relations.

Hatoyama said the two countries should have their people understand history and deal with problems through dialogue.

Hatoyama called on the two countries to take regional cooperation into consideration, boost cooperation in trade and the economy, finance and environmental protection, seek common prosperity and help build the East Asian community.