The Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum has always
served an important venue for many world leaders to chat about the
old days and also talk seriously about bilateral relations and
areas of common concern.
Meetings on the sidelines of this important forum always attract
media attention.
During the forum in Hanoi, Viet Nam, President Hu Jintao met with other leaders, such as US
President George W. Bush, Russian President Vladimir Putin and
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The diplomatic talks at the
forum may not necessarily result in tangible bilateral agreements,
however, the discussions can improve China's relations with these
countries and make them operate more smoothly.
Hu's second meeting with Abe in the past two months is of great
significance to the China-Japan relationship. The frequent talks
between the two leaders show the success in repairing waning
bilateral relations.
The dark clouds hovering over ties between the two major Asian
nations were dispersed when Abe visited Beijing in October shortly
after he became Japan's new prime minister.
The Hu-Abe meeting on the sideline of APEC forum presented
another optimistic scene and clearly shows that China and Japan
have resumed top-level talks. These discussions reflect the
healthier state of the bilateral relations, which stagnated before
Abe's China visit. Hu described the visit as a "turning point."
Their meeting in Hanoi drives home a clear signal the countries
are willing to maintain the momentum of goodwill and the
development of their ties.
They showed a common aspiration to improve the relationship.
With a forward-looking and strategic vision on the ties, they are
committed to building the bilateral relationship into one of
peaceful co-existence, friendship for generations, co-operation of
mutual benefit and common development.
The talks between the top leaders of the two countries are also
crucial for building political trust. It serves as the bedrock on
which their healthy relationship rests and grows.
The five-point proposals President Hu presented to Abe during
their meeting will open up new opportunities for the China-Japan
ties.
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It is necessary for the two countries to chart the blueprint in
which the bilateral relations should head for and how the
friendship between the two peoples can develop.
Sensitive issues, such as Taiwan and the history of Japanese
invasion still haunt the bilateral ties. They are closely related
to the political foundation of the relationship.
Hu's recommendation for properly handling these issues is a
testament to China's sincerity in improving its ties with Japan.
The approach will prevent the bilateral relations from sliding to
stalemate.
In their joint communique issued in Beijing in October, China
and Japan agreed that their relations are one of the most important
diplomatic arrangements for both.
More exchange programs between China and Japan are pending as
next year marks the 35th anniversary of the normalization of the
bilateral ties.
(China Daily November 20, 2006)
