Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, August 29, 2002
Jiang Stresses Necessity of Sino-Japan Friendship
Both China and Japan should treasure their friendship, said Jiang, also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, during a meeting with Tetsuzo Fuwa, chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Japan.
Jiang Urges Absolute Necessity of Sino-Japan Friendship
Chinese President Jiang Zemin Wednesday stressed the absolute necessity of maintaining friendly relations with Japan.
Both China and Japan should treasure their friendship, said Jiang, also general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, during a meeting with Tetsuzo Fuwa, chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Japan.
"From my own experience I have witnessed the development of China-Japan relations," Jiang said. "Thirty years of experience has sufficiently proven that we must hold dear the belief that good-neighborly relations between our two countries serve the fundamental interests of our peoples and are the only correct choice for us."
Jiang said that historical issues and the issue of Taiwan were matters of principle in China-Japan relations, and therefore must be treated seriously and appropriately.
Jiang said the development of mutually beneficial economic cooperation was the material basis and driving force of China-Japan relations that would help regional and world prosperity and development and should be encouraged.
To realize a long-term, healthy and stable development of China-Japan friendly relations, the two sides should show great foresight, follow peace and development trend of the times, draw on historical lessons so as to ensure that friendship between the two peoples will last from generation to generation, Jiang said.
The Chinese president said the two countries should also treat each other with sincerity, and expand the channels of exchange and cooperation and seek common development and prosperity.
Jiang said the Communist Party of China would continue to strengthen exchanges with the Communist Party of Japan and other Japanese parties with the aim of increasing friendship between the two peoples.
Tetsuzo Fuwa said great changes had taken place in the world over the past few years and China was playing an increasingly important role in world affairs.
Stable and developing Japan-China relations were significant to peace and stability in Asia in the 21st century.
Fuwa said the Communist Party of Japan hoped to cooperate in different areas with the Communist Party of China and work together for the stability and development of Japan-China relations.