Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Thursday said that China will unswervingly carry out its national policy of opening up to the outside world.

 

China's economic development will bring more business opportunities for its partners, including Japan, Wen said at a luncheon with a group of important Japanese economic leaders.

 

"We will abide by the promises made during our accession to the World Trade Organization, to reduce the limits on market access, further open up the service sector, and improve relevant laws, policies and the market environment," he added.

 

Wen said China and Japan should continue to explore new areas and channels to elevate the levels of their trade and economic cooperation.

 

The Chinese premier put forward a five-point proposal on further developing China-Japan trade and economic relations:

 

-- To strengthen cooperation in environmental protection.

 

Wen said that environmental protection is vital to the common sustainable development of both nations. As Japan has accumulated a wealth of experience in this area, both countries can do a lot to boost mutual cooperation.

 

-- To deepen energy cooperation.

 

Wen said that enhancing exchange and cooperation in the energy sector is in the interests of both sides and conducive to safeguarding energy security and stability in the world.

 

The Chinese market welcomes Japan's advanced energy-saving technologies and management experience, and China is willing to expand cooperation in the area, as it develops and commercializes operations of new energy, energy reserve systems and energy transportation security, he said.

 

China's modernization depends on advanced science and technology, Wen said, adding that cooperation and exchange in the high-tech area will further boost bilateral cooperation.

 

-- To facilitate cooperation between small- and medium-sized enterprises

 

Small- and medium-sized enterprises are playing an important role in Japan's economic development and overseas investments, Wen said. China welcomes various forms of cooperation between small- and medium-sized enterprises of both nations in the areas of technology and personnel training, he said.

 

-- To broaden cooperation in the financial sector.

 

China regards the reform of its financial system as a major task to deepen economic reforms, and it will push forward the opening-up process of the financial sector, Wen said.

 

He said that China supports Japanese financial institutions' involvement in its financial reforms, and is willing to consolidate exchange and cooperation in the financial sector and make concerted efforts in safeguarding financial security and stability in the region.

 

-- To promote mutual investments.

 

Both sides should accelerate the process of making investments more convenient, Wen said.

 

The Chinese premier said China called on Japanese businesses to increase their investments in China, and participate in the development of western China, the revitalization of the old industrial bases in northeastern China and the development of China's central region.

 

He said that the Chinese government would also encourage and support Japanese enterprises to invest in China.

 

In the past 35 years, trade and economic ties between China and Japan have developed rapidly. The trade volume between the two countries reached US$207.3 billion last year, nearly 200 times the figure of 1972.

 

Japan has set up more than 30,000 enterprises and joint ventures in China, with an accumulated investment of US$58 billion.

 

Wen arrived in Tokyo on Wednesday for a three-day official visit to Japan. He is scheduled to conclude his tour on Friday.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2007)