China, Japan Can Contribute to Asian Peace and Stability: Jiang

China, Japan Can Contribute to Asian Peace and Stability: Jiang

President Jiang Zemin said Friday that so long as China and Japan uphold the principles set in their jointly-issued documents the two can contribute to the peace and stability in Asia.

Jiang made the remarks during a meeting with Hashimoto Ryutaro, former Japanese prime minister. Ryutaro is here on a good-will visit as guest of the China Society for International Strategic Studies.

Jiang said that as long as China and Japan keep the principles set in the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement and other documents, the two can bring into the 21st century a healthy, stable, friendly and trusted Sino-Japanese relations, thus contributing to the peace and stability in Asia.

Jiang stressed that China has always paid great attention to its relations with Japan. During a state visit to Japan by Jiang in 1998, the two sides pledged to build a friendly and cooperative partnership that is oriented towards the 21st century and dedicated to peace and development.

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji paid an official visit to Japan not long ago. Jiang said Zhu's visit has helped increase mutual understanding and trust and strengthen cooperation between the two sides.

Jiang said the two sides should carry on traditional friendly contacts. In particular, the contacts between the younger generation should be strengthened, he said.

Ryutaro said that Jiang's speech at a gathering in Beijing last May on the development of Sino-Japanese relations had a very positive response in Japan. More than 5,000 Japanese people of all walks of life attended that gathering.

He said history should not be forgotten and that the Japanese and Chinese peoples should remain friendly from generation to generation.