Visiting Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan and his Japanese counterpart
Masahiko Komura Thursday in their talks agreed to strengthen
exchanges, according to diplomatic officials.
This year marks the 35 anniversary of the normalization of the
Japan-China diplomatic ties and offers an
important opportunity for the development of the two nations'
relations, Cao said, adding that there were also challenges in
bilateral ties.
"Sino-Japanese friendship benefits basic interests of the two
peoples as well as peace, stability and development in Asia and the
world," Cao said. "China is ready to continue working with Japan to
promote healthy and stable bilateral relationship."
The Chinese defense chief noted that defense exchanges between
the two neighbors should be put on a strategic level, since they
are significant to the building of mutual trust and long-term
friendship.
On the Taiwan issue, Cao said the issue involves China's core
interest and China is trying its best to peacefully solve the
issue. Some Taiwan separatists, led by Chen Shui-bian, have been
plotting separatism activities of a large scale, which poses great
danger to the peace and stability of the Taiwan Straits, the
Asia-Pacific region, as well as the world, Cao said.
China hopes that Japan can recognize the sensitivity of the
Taiwan issue and stick to the principle of the three political
documents and the one-China policy, Cao said, adding that China
hopes that Japan will have no official contacts with Taiwan and
would not send any wrong signals to the Taiwan separatists.
Komura warmly welcomed Cao's visit. The new defense minister
said building strategic, mutually beneficial relations between
Japan and China has promoted bilateral ties. The two neighbors have
frequent political exchanges and close economic ties and are
working together in many regional and international affairs, Komura
said.
The visit by a Chinese defense minister after around ten years
is highly significant in promoting the two countries'
understanding, mutual trust and exchanges in the security field,
Komura noted, saying that the two sides should promote cooperation
and work for all-round development in bilateral ties.
On the Taiwan issue, Komura said that Japan will stick to the
position as stated in the three political documents and Japan does
not support "Taiwan independence".
At the meeting in the morning, the two defense chiefs agreed to
enhance military exchanges to promote mutual trust. They reached a
number of agreements regarding Japanese defense minister's visit to
China next year, China warship visit to Japan this year, as well as
other defense exchange issues.
Cao is making the official good-will visit, the first for a
Chinese defense minister since 1998, at the invitation of Japanese
defense minister.
Earlier in the day, Cao also met with Koichi Kato, former
Japanese defense agency director and other former defense leaders
at a breakfast meeting.
(Xinhua News Agency August 30, 2007)
