China and Japan, which sent their top officials for a high-level
dialogue, aim for a leap in bilateral relations next year.
Their efforts at reconciliation between the two countries this
year have fared well.
The first meeting of the economic dialogue, which started in
Beijing on Saturday, is expected to consolidate the economic
cooperation between China and Japan. This is a major part of the
Sino-Japanese strategic, mutually beneficial relationship.
The dialogue has been designed to plan and promote Sino-Japanese
cooperation in key areas such as energy, environmental protection,
finance, telecommunications and intellectual property rights
protection. China and Japan are indispensable trading partners for
each other.
Showing the weight they attach to the dialogue, China and Japan
assigned Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan and Japanese Foreign Minister
Masahiko Momura to co-chair the meeting.
The face-to-face talks between the senior officials of the two
countries are far more than symbolic. They help raise economic
cooperation to a higher level. Sino-Japanese trade, which has grown
rapidly, has expanded into more areas such as service, investment
and technological cooperation. The trade benefits both.
China and Japan outlined energy and environmental protection as
the focal points of their cooperation on Saturday. They are
committed to developing their trade for win-win cooperation.
The dialogue is expected to serve as a venue where the two
countries can express their opinions on problems in their economic
relations. Japan has not recognized China as a market economy and
listed some Chinese firms for export controls.
The two countries have conducted their dialogue from a global
perspective, as their economies are important to the all-round
development of their bilateral relations and the world at
large.
China and Japan had grand observations for the 35th anniversary
of the establishment of their diplomatic ties. The two countries
have kept in touch on regional and international issues.
China and Japan have worked hard this year to pave the way for
new developments next year, and the years ahead.
(China Daily December 3, 2007)
