Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing on Saturday met with his Japanese, Philippine and Brunei counterparts in the central Philippine city of Cebu, saying China will promote cooperation with the three countries.

 

While meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Aso Taro, Li said there emerges a good situation of development in Sino-Japanese relations as a result of the efforts made by both countries.

 

 

Li said that Chinese and Japanese leaders have reached a consensus on the direction of development of bilateral relations, effectively promoting the practical and mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields between the two sides.

 

China is willing to join hands with Japan in promoting the Sino-Japanese relations to grow in a healthy, stable manner, and work hard to reach the goal of "peaceful coexistence, friendship from generation to generation, cooperation to mutual benefit, and common development," Li added.

 

Li told Aso that the historical issue and the Taiwan issue concern the foundation of Sino-Japanese relations. He said China hopes Japan will properly deal with the relevant issues by adhering to the principles laid down by the three political documents including the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement.

 

Aso said that Japan welcomes the momentum of improvement rising in the Japan-China relations, and hopes the two sides will join hands in building strategic relationship of mutual benefit by increasing high-level exchanges and deepening cooperation in such areas as economics, trade, human resources, culture and environmental protection.

 

With regard to the historical issue and the Taiwan issue, Aso said that Japan will stick to the principles expounded by the three political documents. This position will remain unchanged, he added.

 

The two ministers also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.

 

During the meeting between Li and Philippine Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo, the two highly appreciated Sino-Philippine relations, saying that both sides are willing to strengthen cooperation in various areas.

 

The two ministers also promised to join efforts to promote cooperation between China and ASEAN, and between ASEAN on the one side and China, Japan and South Korea on the other.

 

On another occasion, Li met with Lim Jock Seng, Foreign Minister II of Brunei Darussalam, to discuss the strengthening of friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 10, 2006)