Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said on Tuesday before his
upcoming visit to China that environmental protection and energy
are important issues of cooperation between the two countries.
During an interview with Xinhua and other Chinese media at the
prime minister's office in Tokyo, Fukuda said environmental
protection and energy are important issues "not only for the future
of Japan and China, but also for that of the region and the whole
international society."
"Environmental protection and energy are important issues of
cooperation between Japan and China in building mutually beneficial
relations which can contribute to Asia and the world," Fukuda
said.
Japan is ready to cooperate with China in promoting efficiency
of coal-fired power generation, water purification and a recycling
economy, said Fukuda, adding that the two neighbors have already
started work in those fields through a joint committee on
environmental protection and high-level economic dialogue.
Fukuda, who took office in September, is scheduled to begin a
four-day official visit to China on Thursday.
He said in the interview that he plans to make detailed
suggestions on bilateral cooperation in environmental protection
and energy during his visit.
The premier also said he expects to discuss the East China Sea
issue, climate change and the Korean Peninsula issue with Chinese
leaders during his meetings in Beijing.
The Japanese prime minister is scheduled to hold talks with his
Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao, and meet with Chinese President Hu
Jintao and top legislator Wu Bangguo.
Fukuda will also give a speech at the prestigious Peking
University and visit a primary school in Beijing. His itinerary,
among other activities, includes a visit to Tianjin, a city close
to Beijing, and Qufu, in Shandong Province, the hometown of
Confucius.
(Xinhua News Agency December 26, 2007)
