Zhu Praises Japanese Organizations for Promoting Sino-Japanese Relations

Visiting Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji on Friday spoke highly of Japanese organizations and the Japanese people for their long-time efforts to promote the development of friendly and cooperative relations between China and Japan.

Speaking at a reception hosted in his honor by seven Japanese organizations for promoting Japan-China friendship, Zhu said Sino-Japanese ties have seen remarkable development since the two countries normalized their diplomatic relations 28 years ago.

He praised these organizations for their unselfish contributions to the development of Sino-Japanese relations.

The development of Sino-Japanese ties has brought about important benefits to the two countries and the two peoples, and contributed greatly to peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large, Zhu said.

The Chinese premier expressed thanks to the seven organizations on behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese people.

How to promote the development of Sino-Japanese ties at the turning-point of two centuries is a big task facing the two peoples, Zhu pointed out.

Two years ago, Zhu said, China and Japan had agreed to build a friendly and cooperative partnership devoted to peace and development, specifying the general direction for the long-term development of bilateral relations, Zhu said.

He said that the purpose of his current visit is to promote bilateral ties toward that direction in a healthier and more stable way through deepening mutual understanding and trust.

Zhu said he had friendly and frank talks with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori on Friday morning and reached consensus on a wide range of issues.

The two sides agreed to make joint efforts for better bilateral ties by trusting each other in the political area and enjoying mutual benefits in the economic field in the 21st century, Zhu added.

People-to-people friendship serves as a basic foundation for the Sino-Japanese friendship, Zhu said, adding that deepening mutual understanding and trust between the two peoples is important for the enhancement of grass-roots friendship.

The Chinese leader expressed the hope that the seven organizations would make more efforts to deepen mutual understanding and promote friendship between the two peoples, especially among the younger generation.

More than 1,500 guests from Japan's all walks of life were present at the reception.



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