BEIJING -- China and Japan, holding divergent views about history, will jointly study the subject in an attempt to improve ties strained over the past, especially Japanese occupation of China during World War II.

China hopes the first-ever joint effort between the two countries on history can proceed well, foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang told reporters.

China and Japan have each appointed a 10-member team to conduct the research.

"I hope the experts from the two countries can do the study on the basis of principles of the three political documents and face history in a correct manner," Qin said.

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