As a step to resolving their dispute over scientific investigations in the East China Sea by Chinese ships, China and Japan have agreed in principle that each side should now inform the other about its research in the disputed waters.
However, Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan stressed Monday that the exchange of information is an independent act by each side, and does not affect China's position on the demarcation of boundary lines in the East China Sea. Tang expressed his view while meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Yohei Kono.
Kono arrived in Beijing Monday for a four-day official visit.
The visit was seen as laying the groundwork for Premier Zhu Rongji's visit to Japan in mid-October.
The two ministers agreed that talks will be held to craft the specifics of their agreement and what precisely should be in communiques regarding research in the disputed waters.
Tang said Chinese research in the East China Sea is not unusual and conforms to international laws.
There is a dispute now simply because China and Japan have not yet reached an understanding on the demarcation of boundary lines in the East China Sea, he added.
Tang said the present Sino-Japanese relationship is maintaining the momentum for a good relationship.
Both sides should bring every positive factor into play and overcome negative factors to promote bilateral relations, Tang said.
Both ministers acknowledged that China and Japan need to have a more substantial bilateral partnership and more economic co-operation.
Tang said Zhu's visit to Japan will focus on bilateral relations.
Kono echoed Tang's assessment of Sino-Japanese relations. He stressed that the Japanese Government will continue to nurture Japan-China relations. Japan is looking forward to Zhu's visit, Kono said.
Kono's visit to Beijing comes at a difficult time in bilateral relations.
Japanese Transportation Minister Hajime Morita would have visited Beijing this month, but Chinese officials cancelled plans for the trip.
The action was widely seen as a response to Morita's visit to the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo to pay homage to Japan's war dead, many of whom are war criminals who were tried by an 11-nation tribunal in Tokyo in 1946.
Many view visits by Japanese officials to the shrine as condoning Japan's aggression during World War II.
Key issues expected to be discussed during Kono's visit include Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party's refusal to release special loans of US$161 million to Beijing for a railway project and airport terminal expansion.
(China Daily )
