Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji said in Beijing on Sunday that he is looking forward to having extensive contacts with people from all walks of life in Japan during his forthcoming official visit, so as to enhance Sino-Japanese friendship.

He made the remarks while meeting with the secretaries-general of the three coalition parties of the Japanese government - Hiromu Nonaka of the Liberal Democratic Party, Tetsuzo Fuyushiba of the New Komeito Party, and Takeshi Noda of the New Conservative Party.

Extending welcome to the Japanese guests, who are in Beijing to attend activities marking the 20th anniversary of Sino-Japanese economic cooperation, Zhu said that such cooperation, an important part of Sino-Japanese friendly and cooperative relations, has been fruitful thanks to joint efforts. China is highly appreciative of this.

Nonaka said that he was happy to attend the 20th anniversary celebrations as a special envoy of the Japanese government, adding that the Japanese government will continue to pursue the friendly policy toward China, and support China's reform, opening-up and modernization drive.

He said that the two countries should develop the future-oriented relations in the spirit of drawing on lessons from history.

He said that the Japanese people and political circle are looking forward to Premier Zhu's visit, expressing the belief that such a visit will help promote Sino-Japanese friendship and push forward bilateral relations in the new century.

Zhu said that Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Japanese leaders have decided to establish a friendly and cooperative partnership devoted to peace and development between the two countries, adding that his upcoming visit is designed to further promote mutual understanding and trust as well as cooperation between the two countries.

(Xinhua 10/09/2000)