Japanese PM Meets with Chinese Vice-premier

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori Wednesday met with Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen on bilateral ties.

Qian, who came to Tokyo to attend the official funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi scheduled on June 8 as special envoy of the Chinese government, expressed heartfelt condolences to the Japanese government, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Obuchi's family members.

He praised Obuchi for contribution to the development of Sino-Japanese friendship over a long period of time.

Qian, who arrived in Tokyo earlier Wednesday, also expressed the belief that Mori will carry on Obuchi cabinet's friendly policy toward China and make new contributions based on the basic principle of "looking into the future while drawing lessons from the past."

Mori said he will abide by the principles set forth in the Japan-China Joint Statement, Japan-China Peace and Friendship Treaty and Japan-China Joint Declaration, and further promote the ties and friendship between the two peoples from generation to generation.

He said Jiang's participation in the recent Japan-China cultural sightseeing exchange gathering in Beijing and his important speech on the relations between the two countries have greatly encouraged the Japanese people from all walks of life.

He added that he is looking forward to Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji's planned visit to Japan this fall, which is believed to enhance the bilateral relations.



People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/