Top political advisor Jia Qinglin called in Tokyo on Thursday
for continuous consolidation of the political, economic and social
basis for Sino-Japanese ties under the current situations, which
requires efforts from both sides.
Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's
Political Consultative Conference, said Sino-Japanese relationship
is at a new starting point as a result of the concerted efforts
from the two sides, and it cherishes more prospects for
development.
Jia, speaking at a reception sponsored by seven Japanese
organizations for bilateral friendship, said there are both
opportunities and challenges in Sino-Japanese ties.
He called on both sides to continue their efforts to strengthen
bilateral political mutual trust, expand common interests, further
improve people-to-people friendship, continuously push forward
bilateral strategic relationship for mutual benefit, and ensure the
long-term, sound and steady growth of bilateral ties.
He said the political basis for bilateral relations can be
safeguarded so long as the two sides firmly follow the correct
direction for bilateral relationship and properly handle the major
sensitive issues in line with the principles and spirit enshrined
in the three bilateral political documents including the joint
statement.
He said he hoped that both sides will take concrete measures to
promote cooperation in such key areas as energy, environmental
protection, finance, high-tech, information and telecommunications,
and intellectual property rights protection.
He said he also hoped the two sides will actively carry out
personnel and cultural exchanges and continuously expand people-to-
people contacts.
Jia urged the two sides to treat each other's development
objectively and support each other's peaceful development, saying
that China's development will never bring harm and threat to other
countries.
On the Taiwan question, Jia said China sincerely hopes that the
Japanese government and people from all walks of life will see
clearly the nature and harm of the "Taiwan independence"
secessionist forces, and join the international community in
sending clear-cut signals against "Taiwan independence".
The seven organizations include the Japan-China Friendship
Association, the Japan Association for the Promotion of
International trade, the Japan-China Cultural Exchange Association,
the Japan-China Association on Economy and Trade, the Association
of Dietmen League for Japan-China Friendship, the Japan-China
Society, INC., and the Japan-China Friendship Center.
Ikuo Hirayama, chairman of the Japan-China Friendship
Association, said all communities of Japan are pleased to see the
improvement and development of bilateral relations between the two
countries and the seven organizations will continue to make
unremitted efforts for the promotion of the bilateral
friendship.
Jia started an official goodwill visit to Japan Wednesday as a
guest of the Japanese government.
(Xinhua News Agency September 13, 2007)
