Chinese, Japanese statesmen brainstorm on cementing bilateral ties
(2007.11.23)


BEIJING, Nov. 23 -- China and Japan held their third meeting under the ruling party's exchange mechanism here on Friday, calling on statesmen's wisdom and concerted efforts to further bilateral ties.

With China-Japan relations at an "important period" for development, Wang Jiarui, Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), said the two countries were facing a precious development opportunity as well as some inevitable problems and challenges.

In a bid to promote healthy, stable development of bilateral ties, it was important to continue high-level exchanges, especially contacts and visits between state leaders, and keep dialogue open at various levels, he said.

Wang also called on the two sides to strengthen political trust, carefully maintain the political foundation for bilateral ties, properly handle historical issues and the Taiwan question, expand bilateral trade and economic cooperation and facilitate cultural and personnel exchanges.

He urged the two countries' statesmen to make a renewed contribution to China-Japan friendship.

"The ruling party's exchange mechanism was set up in the difficult period of bilateral relations," Wang said, adding that it has played an important role in the improvement of bilateral ties.

The current meeting is taking place amid the continuous improvement of bilateral ties, he said, calling on statesmen of the two countries' ruling parties to contribute to further development of mutally beneficial ties.

Wang also expressed appreciation of the two countries' positive efforts and remarkable progress in drawing up and building such strategic and mutually beneficial ties over the past year.

Sadakazu Tanigaki, policy research council chairman of the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party, and Tetsuo Saito, chairman of the policy research council of the New Komeito, led the Japanese delegation and made key-note speeches.

Affirming the positive role of the ruling party's exchange mechanism, the Japanese participants said that cementing dialogues between the two countries not only helps enhance mutual understanding but also contributes to the stability of the region and the international community.

Whatever changes occur in the international situation, the foundations of Japan-China friendship should never be shaken, they said.

The two countries' statesmen also briefed one another about their respective internal and external policies, and conferred on facilitating bilateral cooperation in environmental protection, tourism and energy.

The exchange mechanism was officially launched in March of 2004, aiming to promote the healthy development of bilateral ties through party exchanges. The first and second meetings were held in Beijing and Tokyo in February and October of 2006, respectively.


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