BEIJING, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan met with a Japanese delegation led by Yoshifumi Hibako, former chief of staff of Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces on Friday afternoon.

Chang said China-Japan relationships are complicated and fragile, and it will be a long and arduous task to bring bilateral ties back on track.

He urged the Japanese side to learn lessons from history, stick to the path of peaceful development and do more to improve bilateral ties.

Yoshifumi Hibako said improvement in Japan-China ties is important to both countries and regional stability, and the members of the delegation are willing to play a positive role.