China on Wednesday appealed to its people to end violent protests over Japan's handling of its wartime past and urged them to express their feelings in a 'calm' way.

The improvement and development of Sino-Japanese ties require 'a correct view of history', Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said.

He asked Japan to 'turn its promises into action' and thoroughly resolve relevant issues.

Li urged the Chinese people not to participate in unapproved demonstrations or activities that may affect social stability.

"Express yourselves rationally and in an orderly fashion," he was quoted as saying by the Xinhua news agency.

The adherence to the 'one-China' principle forms the political foundation of Sino-Japanese ties. "Japan should honour its commitments and do nothing detrimental to China's sovereignty," he said.

Sino-Japanese ties are at its worst since establishment of diplomatic relations in 1972, with fierce anti-Japanese demonstrations erupting in many Chinese cities in recent weeks over a revised Japanese school textbook, which the Chinese leadership, people and state media say distorts atrocities committed by Japanese militarists during their 1931-45 occupation of China.

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