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China Attaches Importance to Relations with Japan
Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan said in Tokyo Thursday that the Chinese government attaches great importance to Sino-Japanese relations.
Bilateral ties between the two countries have in general maintained a smooth development in recent years, Tang said during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori.
The two countries specified the general direction and priorities for bilateral cooperation during Chinese President Jiang Zemin's visit to Japan in 1998 and former Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi's visit to China last year, Tang said.
Tang expressed the belief that bilateral friendly and cooperative relations would be further solidified and enhanced as long as the two sides strictly abide by the principles set forth in the "Sino-Japanese Joint Statement," "China-Japan Peace and Friendship Treaty" and "Sino-Japanese Joint Declaration," and based on the long-term strategy oriented toward the 21st century and actively seek and expand common benefits.
To handle historical issues with a correct attitude is an important political foundation for the development of Sino- Japanese relations, Tang stressed.
"While not forgetting history, we should have our eyes more on the future," he added.
Noting that the question of Taiwan is an internal affair of China, Tang expounded China's principle stance on the Taiwan issue following the change of political situation inside the Taiwan island.
Sino-Japanese ties will see long-term, healthy and stable development so long as historical issues and issues related to the question of Taiwan are handled properly, Tang pointed out.
Japan-China relationship is one of the most important bilateral relationship for both countries, Mori said, adding that bilateral ties have maintained a smooth development momentum.
The Japanese government will continue to devote to the development of bilateral friendly and cooperative relations on the basis of the three political documents formulated by the two countries, Mori said.
Mori, who took office after his predecessor Keizo Obuchi suffered a stroke in early April, said he will honor the various consensus reached by the former Japanese prime minister and the Chinese leaders.
The Japanese government's stance revealed so far on the Taiwan issue will not be changed, Mori added.
Tang, who arrived here Wednesday for a four-day official visit, also met separately with leaders of Japan's six ruling and opposition parties, which include the Liberal Democratic Party, New Komeito party, New Conservative Party, Democratic Party of Japan, Japan Communist Party and Social Democratic Party.
During the meetings, Tang and the Japanese party leaders exchanged views on how to properly handle the Taiwan issue, eliminate disturbances from Japan's right-wing forces and maintain the healthy and stable development of bilateral ties.
The party leaders said that promoting friendship between Japan and China is a concerted view of every party, adding that they are willing to make unremitting efforts for the enhancement of bilateral ties.
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