International

Hu sees new avenues in ties with Japan

TOKYO: Sino-Japanese relations are facing new opportunities for further development, said Chinese President Hu Jintao here on Tuesday.

On his arrival here, Mr. Hu — on a five-day “warm spring” trip to boost strategic relations — said “the development of a long-term stable and good neighbourly friendship between China and Japan is in the fundamental interests of the two countries and the two peoples.”

He said this year marked the 30th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship. He hoped his visit would help enhance mutual trust, strengthen friendship, deepen cooperation and chalk out programmes for the future. Mr. Hu said he would meet Japan’s Emperor Akihito, discuss bilateral ties with Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and have extensive contact with Japanese citizens from different walks of life. He expressed the belief that through joint efforts of both sides, his visit would achieve expected results.

Mr. Hu’s visit to Japan, the first by a Chinese President in a decade, was seen as a step aimed at further improving the once-chilly relationship, which began to thaw with the “ice-breaking” visit by the former Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, to China in October 2006.

That was followed by the “ice-thawing” Japan trip by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in April 2007 and Mr. Fukuda’s “spring-herald” visit to China in December last.

In an interview on Sunday, Mr. Hu said the visit would have the atmosphere of a “warm spring” and he wished for a “warm spring for the friendship between the two peoples.” The leaders of the two countries have maintained frequent contacts, and cooperation in politics, trade, culture and defence has been fruitful.

They have also held consultations on such global issues as climate change and sustainable development.

The economies of the two countries are deeply intertwined. China was Japan’s top trading partner last year while Japan was China’s third largest with two-way trade reaching $236 billion. Japan’s accumulative foreign direct investment (FDI) in China has reached $60.7 billion, making it China’s second largest source of foreign investment.

“The improvement and development of the Sino-Japanese relationship is in the fundamental interests of both peoples and also conducive to peace, stability and development in Asia. We are ready to make joint efforts with Japan to further the relationship,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu at a press conference on April 29. — Xinhua

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu