Japan Consistent in Supporting China's Reform: PM

Japan PM Meets with Chinese State Councilor

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori discussed bilateral ties with Chinese State Councilor Wu Yi at his official residence in Tokyo on Friday Mori said that Japan has been consistent in supporting China's reform and opening-up as well as China's bid to join the World Trade Organization (WTO).

The cooperative economic relationship constitutes an important part of bilateral relations, he said.

Mori stressed the importance of the exchange of visits between Chinese President Jiang Zemin and late Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi over the past two years, saying that he was very encouraged by Jiang's participation in Japan-China cultural sightseeing exchange gathering in Beijing in May.

The Japanese prime minister said that he is looking forward to hosting an official visit by Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji's to Japan this fall.

Wu told Mori that China is willing to make joint efforts to bring a healthy and stable Sino-Japanese friendship into the 21st century.

Noting that China and Japan are two influential countries in the world, Wu said that the development of healthy and stable bilateral relations not only conforms to the fundamental interests of the two peoples, but also are conducive to prosperity and stability in Asia and the world at large.

Wu said Japan has become one of the main countries from which China draws foreign investment and that investment cooperation between the two countries has seen remarkable growth.

She also stressed the need for the two governments to actively promote such cooperation.