Premier Zhu Rongji said Friday that the future of China and Japan
lies in their co-operation.
During his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi,
Zhu said that the two countries are important trading partners to
each other and that further deepening of reciprocal co-operation
would benefit both.
According to a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, Koizumi told Zhu
that China's economic development is not a threat to Japan.
The development of China as well as other countries that neighbor
Japan is good for Japan and provides opportunities for competition
for Japan, Koizumi said.
He
suggested that the two countries set up a consultation mechanism
about trade and economic co-operation, so as to promote the smooth
development of bilateral economic ties. The proposal was well
received by Zhu, the Chinese spokesman said.
In
a speech Friday at the annual conference of the Boao Forum for
Asia, Koizumi for the first time openly denied the theory that
China could pose a threat to Japan.
"Some see the economic development of China as a threat,'' Koizumi
said. "I do not. I believe its dynamic economic development
presents challenges as well as opportunities for Japan.
"A
rising economic tide and expansion of the market in China will
stimulate competition and prove to be a tremendous opportunity for
the world economy as a whole.''
Koizumi also said that China and Japan, with their different
industrial structures, can strengthen their mutually complementary
bilateral economic relations.
"I
see the advancement of Japan-China economic relations not as a
hollowing-out of Japanese industry, but as an opportunity to
nurture new industries in Japan and to develop their activities in
the Chinese market,'' he said. "Our integrated efforts for economic
reform in both countries should advance the wheel of economic
relations.''
With two-way trade volume registering at US$87.7 billion last year,
China is now Japan's second largest trading partner and Japan is
China's largest trading partner.
Also Friday, Zhu met his counterparts in the Republic of Korea
(ROK) -- Lee Han-dong, and in Thailand -- Thaksin Shinawatra. He
also met some entrepreneurs participating in the forum.
When meeting ROK Prime Minister Lee, Zhu said it is China's policy
to continue developing a co-operative partnership with the ROK.
He
said China is willing to push for the comprehensive development of
bilateral relations in the new century.
Zhu said he hoped the two neighbors will keep up their momentum on
economic ties based on the principle of co-operation.
Lee, describing the economic co-operation between the two countries
as "fruitful,'' expressed the hope that they will further
strengthen co-operation in information technology, communication
and environmental protection.
During his meeting with Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Zhu
expressed his support for Thailand's efforts to set up an Asia
Co-operation Dialogue (ACD).
With their own diversities, different regions in Asia are
comparatively independent, Zhu said.
He
also said development in Asia should start from the easiest and
progress gradually on the basis of wide consensus.
He
said China is willing to work with Thailand for the co-operation
and prosperity of Asia.
Regarding the free trade zone between China and the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Zhu said the most important thing
is maintaining the momentum and starting negotiations at an earlier
date.
(China
Daily April 13, 2002)