China and Japan yesterday vowed to increase diplomatic dialogue and defensive cooperation aside from continuing economic dialogue and mutual support for peaceful development.

Yesterday, a press statement was issued following Premier Wen Jiabao's meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe which provided an in-depth look at the next stage of the mutually beneficial relationship between China and Japan.

The document, carrying more weight than its predecessor issued in October during Abe's ice-breaking visit to Beijing, covers a wider range of issues in a bid to take the bilateral ties to a new stage.

In terms of defense, both sides agreed to host fleet exchanges at an early date and to boost communication between their respective defense bodies. Furthermore, the Chinese defense minister will pay a visit to Japan in autumn.

The two countries renewed their common commitment to peace and stability across Asia and the world. The respective foreign ministries will maintain close cooperation in global issues of common concern to stimulate bilateral strategic and economic partnerships.?

Given Japan's desire to assist China in helping African countries, consultations will be deepened in this area.

Turning to Japan's bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, China expressed its desire to see Japan play a bigger constructive role in international affairs and will continue to negotiate with Japan to look for common ground in terms of UN reform.

Both countries fully stand by the landmark agreement signed in February about North Korea's nuclear program and China fully sympathizes with Japan over the kidnapping issue, and stands ready to help.

Mutual collaboration between the neighbors will also branch out to cover many sectors, ranging from energy, the environment, agriculture, medical research and IPR to finance, the judiciary and communication technology.

Joint clean-up programs will be begun on the Bohai Bay and Yangtze River areas to curb air and sea pollution and to prevent acid rain and sandstorms. From these will stem model projects aiming to create energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly business models.

Turning to agriculture, China has waived a ban preventing rice imports from Japan, and both countries will move to further agricultural trade.

The two sides announced their hopes for negotiations to start before the end of the year over a treaty that would establish parameters for legal cooperation and lead to consultations for an extradition treaty.

Also, bilateral financial collaboration will be ramped up, along with personnel exchanges.

2007 marks the 35th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties between the two countries and to commemorate this fact, around 20,000 Japanese citizens will tour 19 Chinese cities this year.

The two leaders also signed agreements on energy and the environment outside the sphere of the joint statement.

The first accord called for both countries to lead the charge for a successor to the Kyoto Protocol by 2013. Its twin will lead both nations to work together in using energy resource efficiently and in building more nuclear power stations in China.?

During their talks, Wen reiterated that the history issue must be handled well if it is to be overcome since it is close to the hearts and minds of the Chinese people.

He urged the Japanese leadership to face up to history and "open up good, forward-looking relations towards a beautiful future."

Wen also outlined China's position on the Taiwan question, and hoped that Japan could properly address it by paying full attention to the issue's particular sensitivity.?

For his part, Abe said Japan stood fully behind the three joint documents directing bilateral relations.

On disputed waters in the East China Sea, the two countries will accelerate negotiations to find a mutually-acceptable solution as they move towards making it "a sea of peace, cooperation and friendship."

(China Daily April 12, 2007)