Koizumi made the remarks at a reception held to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic ties and the 53rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The Prime Minister asserted that China's development would not constitute any threat to Japan and the world at large; instead, it can promote the Japan-Chinese economic and trade cooperation, adding that he had conveyed his view to US President Bush.

Xu Jialu, vice-chairman of the NPC Standing Committee and head of China's non-governmental visiting delegation to Japan, noted in his speech given at the reception that Sino-Japan relations of friendship and cooperation have not come about easily, so, the two countries should continue their endeavors to deepen mutual understanding in the spirit of seeking common grounds while reserving differences, and expanding consensus.

Now the Sino-Japanese relationship is in the period of replacing the old by the new, thus it is extremely important to foster large numbers of people capable of boosting friendship between the two countries, he added. It is necessary to begin with youngsters and teenagers for Sino-Japanese friendship, it is also essential to strengthen exchanges and understanding between youths and between young statesmen of the two countries, establish various channels for the purpose, and actively promote multi-level and multi-field friendly exchanges and cooperation between governments, political parties, localities and folks of the two countries, thereby jointly creating a new situation for Sino-Japanese cooperation in the 21st century.

Wu Dawei, Chinese Ambassador to Japan, hosted the celebration. And former Japanese Prime Minister Nakasome Yasuhiro, Chen Jinhua, vice-chairman of Ninth CPPCC National Committee, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi and Hirayama Ikuo, chairman of the Japan-China Friendship Association all delivered speeches at the reception, which was attended by over 2000 people including members of the Chinese visiting delegation, friendly Japanese from all walks of life and the Chinese nationals residing in Japan.

( September 27, 2002)