Chinese Vice-President Hu Jintao said in Beijing Tuesday that China and Japan should look to the future, clear all obstacles and push forward the friendly relations between China and Japan in the new century.
Hu made the remarks during a meeting with Morihiro Hosokawa, former Japanese prime minister who arrived here Sunday for a visit as guest of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs.
The vice-president said China appreciates Hosokawa's long-term efforts in promoting China-Japan relations. He pointed out that a correct view and treatment of historical issues and the issue of Taiwan as well as a strict observation of the principled spirit of the three Sino-Japanese joint documents will always be the political basis for smooth growth of relations between China and Japan.
Hosokawa said he himself will continue to make efforts for Japan-China friendly relations. He stressed that Japan-China relations are some of the most important bilateral relations for Japan.
The former prime minister said it is regretful that the normal growth of Japan-China relations is often affected by problems. He said he believes that as long as the spirit of "learning from history and looking to the future," put forward by Hu, is observed, problems will be resolved and long-term stable friendly and cooperative relations between Japan and China will be developed.
((Xinhua News Agency 09/04/2001)
