Wu urges Japan to stop harming ties
(China Daily)
Updated: 2005-05-24 05:36

TOKYO: Vice-Premier Wu Yi and Japanese House of Representatives Speaker Yohei Kono met here yesterday to exchange views on relations between the two countries.

Wu said she gained an impression of Japanese people's friendship towards Chinese people and their earnest wish to improve relations after attending the China Day held at the Aichi Expo 2005 and during her week-long visit to Japan.

Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi speaks at the 11th International Conference on 'The Future of Asia' in Tokyo May 23, 2005. [Reuters]

The vice-premier said that one of the purposes of her trip was to push for the implementation of the agreement on the development of Sino-Japanese relations reached between the Chinese and Japanese leaders during their meeting at the Jakarta summit and help return the bilateral relations to a path of normal development.

Kono echoed Wu's remarks on bilateral relations, saying the two countries should overcome difficulties and push for the normalizing of ties.

With deepening co-operation, the two sides have become more dependent on each other and grown closer, he said, adding that the further development of relations was important for regional and world stability and prosperity.

Asian boom

Wu yesterday also called on Asian nations to take responsibility for the development and prosperity of the region.

It was a historic time for Asia to attain peace and development, despite numerous challenges, Wu said at a lecture sponsored by Nihon Keizai Shimbun Inc.

All Asian nations are obliged to take responsibility for building a peaceful, stable, prosperous and harmonious Asia, she said.

To that end, Wu made five proposals:

Build up awareness of Asia and reinforce co-operation.

Boost mutual trust and consider the concerns of other countries.

Update the concept of security to maintain peace and stability.

Push for all-out co-operation spearheaded by economy and trade.

Tolerate cultural diversity.

As for co-operation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China, Japan and South Korea, she said the countries concerned should enhance economic co-operation and improve the level of economic integration.

On the role that China and Japan are supposed to play, Wu pointed out that their co-operation is the prerequisite for the peace, stability and development of Asia. The long-term and fundamental national interests hinge on their peaceful co-operation, perpetual friendship, mutual benefit and common development, which is also the expectation of the rest countries in the region.

(China Daily 05/24/2005 page2)