China and Japan are standing at a "new starting point" of
bilateral ties, said State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan Sunday, calling
for consolidated political foundation for long-term and stable
development of China-Japan relations.
Tang made the remarks when meeting with Fuyushiba Tetsuzo,
Japanese Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, who is
visiting China at the invitation of China National Tourism
Administration.
"The two countries have already broken the five-year-long
political stalemate and brought bilateral ties to the normal track
of development," Tang said, referring to Japanese Prime Minister
Shinzo Abe's "successful" China trip in October.
"Standing at a new starting point, the two sides should work
closely to add momentum to the long-term and stable development of
their relations, which is not only a common mission for the two
governments but also serves the two nations' interests and meets
expectation of the two peoples, Tang said.
The two countries enjoy great potential for closer cooperation,
the state councilor said, adding various circles of both sides are
enthusiastic to boost cooperation.
President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Abe met again in
November, following their October meeting, in Vietnam on the
sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.
Premier Wen Jiabao will meet with Prime Minister Abe in the
Philippines later this month, according to Tang.
He said that the political and economic foundation of bilateral
relations should be fortified, and understanding between the two
peoples should be promoted.
Meanwhile, the Japanese side should properly handle sensitive
historical issues and its ties with Taiwan, Tang told Fuyushiba
Tetsuzo.
Fuyushiba Tetsuzo said it is a priority of Japan to improve and
develop relations with China.
Japan will make efforts to further enhance bilateral exchanges
and cooperation in various areas such as tourism, air
transportation and education, he said.
Tang also spoke highly of the contribution Fuyushiba Tetsuzo and
the Japanese Komei Party have made in breaking bilateral political
stalemate and promoting China-Japan friendship.
It is the first overseas trip of Fuyushiba Tetsuzo since he was
appointed as Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport by
Prime Minister Abe in September.
(Xinhua News Agency December 4, 2006)
