Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji's current visit to Japan has turned out to be a complete success, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhu Bangzao in Beijin Tuesday at a regular press conference.

During Premier Zhu's stay in Japan, he met with Japanese Emperor and Empress, held talks with Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, and conducted extensive contacts with leaders of various political parties, economic groups, non-governmental friendship associations and people from all walks of life, said the spokesman.

The two sides also had a frank and in-depth exchange of views on how to further develop friendly and cooperative bilateral relations in the 21st century and reached broad consensus in this regard, the spokesman said.

The two sides reaffirmed that friendly cooperation is the mainstream of the bilateral relations and agreed that the two countries should take the advantage of the general situation facing the two countries to strengthen the political understanding and trust, and deepen and expand economic cooperation, he said.

The two sides reiterated that all the problems, either old or new, should be properly handled in line with the spirit set forth in the Joint Statement of the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of Japan, the Treaty of Peace and Friendship Between the People's Republic of China and Japan, and the Sino-Japanese Joint Declaration, he said.

The two sides also agreed to enhance their coordination and cooperation in regional and international affairs for peace, stability and prosperity in Asia and the world as a whole, said the spokesman.

(Xinhua 10/17/2000)