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Chinese Premier Meets Japanese Political Party Leaders
Visiting Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji on Saturday met with leaders of Japan's major political parties and exchanged views with them on the development of bilateral ties between the two countries.
Developing friendly Sino-Japanese relations needs efforts not only from the two governments, but also from political parties and non-governmental organizations, Zhu said at separate meetings with Liberal Democratic Party Secretary General Hiromu Nonaka, New Komeito party leader Takenori Kanzaki, New Conservative Party chief Chikage Ogi and Democratic Party of Japan head Yukio Hatoyama.
Zhu expressed his appreciation to the Japanese parties for their long-time friendly policies toward China, adding that he is glad to see the spirit of "using history as a mirror and looking forward to the future" has become a common view of the two sides.
The Chinese premier voiced the hope that the two countries would join efforts toward building a friendly and cooperative partnership devoted to peace and development in line with the principles set forth in the Sino-Japanese Joint Declaration, the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement and the Sino-Japanese Peace and Friendship Treaty, and through enhancing mutual understanding and appropriately tackling problems arisen.
The political party leaders said Zhu's direct contacts with Japanese people from all walks of life, including ordinary people, have helped deepen mutual understanding and trust.
They said that maintaining bilateral friendship from generation to generation reflects the common aspirations of the two peoples, and that their parties are willing, in accordance with spirits enshrined in the above-mentioned three documents between Japan and China, to continue their efforts to promote friendly exchanges between the two peoples, especially among the younger generation.
During the meetings, Zhu reiterated China's principled stand on the Taiwan issue.
The Taiwan issue is one of principle that relates to the political foundation of Sino-Japanese relations, he said.
He noted that due to historical reasons, the Chinese government and people are very concerned about Japan's attitudes toward the issue.
Zhu expressed the hope that the Japanese parties would continue to stick to their "One China" policy in line with the spirit of the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement.
Expressing understanding of the concern of the Chinese side, the Japanese party leaders said they would adhere to their "One China" policy and also wish to see the early peaceful reunification of China.
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