Foreign and Military Affairs

Chinese vice premier urges closer co-op with Japan

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-08-24 19:40

BEIJING - Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday called on closer cooperation with Japan in energy efficiency, sustainable economic and high-tech areas.

Li made the remarks while meeting with Japanese Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Maehara Seiji in Beijing.

As important economic partners, China and Japan should further tap potential for environmental and energy cooperation, and promote the restructuring and upgrading of economic and trade links, he said.

He also called for deeper bilateral cultural and tourism exchanges in a bid to enhance friendly sentiment between the two peoples, and in particular, young people.

"The Chinese government highly values its ties with Japan, and is ready to work closely with the country for sustained growth of bilateral mutually beneficial strategic relations," said Li.

Long-term, stable and good-neighborly China-Japan relations was in the interests of the two countries and two peoples, and helped regional and world peace, stability and prosperity, he said.

Seiji said his government treasured deeper relations with China, and was willing to join China in pushing forward bilateral cooperation.