Healthy Sino-Japan Ties Need Concerted Efforts from Both Sides:Vice PremierChina values its ties with Japan, and the healthy and steady development of Sino-Japanese ties needs concerted efforts from both sides, said Vice-Premier Qian Qichen Friday.Qian made the remark in a meeting with Takeshi Noda, secretary general of Japan's Conservative Party and chairman of the Japan-China Society. Qian said that since China and Japan are important countries in the Asia and Pacific region, developing friendly cooperative relations between the two is not only in the interests of both sides, but also exerts a great impact on Asia and the world as a whole. Recently, however, Japan has put up obstacles hindering the smooth progress of bilateral ties, such as the issue concerning history, which has damaged bilateral ties, he pointed out. He urged Japan to attach more importance to China's stance, adhere to the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement, the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Peace and Friendship and the Sino-Japanese Joint Declaration, and take immediate measures, so as to put the bilateral ties back on the normal track. Takeshi said that he was worried about the current situation of bilateral ties, and he was keen to make efforts to overcome obstacles. Japan values Japan-China relations, and the smooth development of bilateral ties is beneficial to the peace and stability of the region and the world as a whole, he said. He stressed that Japan will adhere to the principles of the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement, honor the commitments made by former Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama in 1995 and continue to promote friendly ties with China. The Japanese guests are here at the invitation of the China-Japan Friendship Association. |
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