Chinese, Japanese PMs Discuss Regional Cooperation

Chinese, Japanese PMs Hold Talks in Tokyo

Visiting Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji said Friday in Tokyo that China is ready to actively discuss regional cooperation with Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asian countries.

Zhu, who is here on a six-day official visit starting on Thursday, made the remarks in a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori.

China wants to see Japan play a positive role in promoting the balanced development of the regional economy as well as raising the economic strength of Asia as a whole, Zhu said.

China is also ready to actively discuss cooperation between China and Japan, among China, Japan and South Korea as well as between the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the three countries within the framework of 10 plus three, said the Chinese premier.

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During the meeting, Mori said that Japan is willing to continuously push the regional cooperation in East Asia under the 10-plus-3 framework.

In this respect, Japan hopes to strengthen coordination and cooperation with China, Mori added.

During his stay in Japan, Zhu will also meet with Japanese Emperor Akihito and some business leaders.

Japan is the first leg of Zhu's two-nation tour which will also take him to South Korea. Zhu will also attend the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) slated for October 20 in South Korea.