State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan on Friday called for greater
efforts from both sides to push forward consultations between China
and Japan over the East China Sea issue.
"We hope both sides would proceed from the general prospect of
maintaining stability of bilateral relations, continue to work in
an active and pragmatic manner, seek common ground while reserving
differences, stride toward each other and exert greater efforts to
achieve substantial progress in relevant consultations as soon as
possible," Tang said.
Tang made the remarks when meeting with former Secretary General
of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Hidenao Nakagawa
in Beijing on Friday morning.
China and Japan have conducted 10 rounds of East China Sea talks
over joint exploration.
The last round of talks were held in Beijing early this month,
with the two sides agreeing to hold the next round of talks in
Beijing in early November.
During the meeting with Nakagawa, Tang stressed that China is
sincere and determined in its efforts to realize joint development
of the East China Sea.
He said at present, China-Japan relations maintain a good
momentum in general and face important opportunities for further
improvement and growth.
Tang said China is willing to make joint efforts with Fukuda's
administration of Japan and people from all sections of Japanese
society to seize opportunities to further advance bilateral
relations.
(Xinhua News Agency October 26, 2007)
