Home>News Center>China
       
 

China and Japan seek to smooth relations
By Qin Jize (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-05-12 22:36

China and Japan will discuss bilateral issues today in Beijing to further ease recent tension.

Vice-Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo will lead the Chinese side, the Foreign Ministry said yesterday. The Japanese delegation will be led by Japanese Foreign Ministry Undersecretary, Shotaro Yachi.

Other regional issues are expected to be touched upon during the two-day talks which start in the Chinese capital Beijing today.

Wu Yi to Japan and Mongolia

Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan yesterday announced Vice-Premier Wu Yi's eight-day visit to Japan from next Tuesday. She will attend the World Exposition in Aichi Prefecture and hold talks with Japanese leaders in Tokyo.

"Wu will hold discussions with Japanese Government leaders on issues of common concern," Kong Quan told a regular press briefing.

He added the specifics of the visit, including who she will meet, are currently being worked out by the two governments.

However, there are reports that Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi will probably meet Wu Yi next Saturday when Wu attends the World Exposition in Aichi.

Wu will also pay a three-day official visit to Mongolia after Japan.

Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and his Japanese counterpart Nobutaka Machimura met last Saturday on the sidelines of Asia-Europe ministerial talks in the Japanese ancient capital Kyoto. The two sides agreed to launch a joint study on their history.

Zhou Yihuang, an expert on Sino-Japanese relations said both countries have moved to smooth over relations in recent weeks.

He said the two countries should sit down and negotiate on the deep disagreements over territorial issues, maritime resources and interpretations of Japan's militarist past.

"We need talks instead of confrontations," Zhou said, adding Sino-Japanese relations will move forward despite the disputes because of the strong and close bilateral economic ties.

However, "Tokyo also needs to face up its wartime past in order to further develop ties with Beijing," he said.

Six-Party Talks

Kong Quan yesterday also urged Pyongyang and Washington to show more flexibility and restart disarmament talks.

Kong said China had noted that there had been some positive messages in recent comments from the both sides-a reference to the Pyongyang's hint on Sunday to have direct contact with US and Washington's recognition of the sovereignty of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and its willingness to continue the bilateral talks within the framework of Six-Party Talks.

(China Daily 05/13/2005 page1)



 
  Today's Top News     Top China News
 

China sets new rules to curb surging real estate price

 

   
 

Hu, Soong join hands for Straits peace

 

   
 

Beijing offers Taiwan more conveniences

 

   
 

China and Japan seek to smooth relations

 

   
 

Pressure on yuan revaluation won't work

 

   
 

China Aviation unveils debt payment plan

 

   
  Beijing offers Taiwan more conveniences
   
  Angels of the ward, toast of the world
   
  Illegal explosive trade targeted
   
  Probe shows colliery workmen ignored laws
   
  New regulation in Dalian beggars belief
   
  Congestion takes its toll on bridge
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  Related Stories  
   
China marks 30th anniversary of Sino-EU diplomatic ties
   
Japan and China need to work together: Ambassador to Japan
   
Regular Sino-US dialogue agreed
   
Rice's visit expected to touch key issues
   
US resolution on China's law 'firmly opposed'
   
More than half believe US containing China
   
Sino-UK trade set to gather momentum
  News Talk  
  It is time to prepare for Beijing - 2008  
Advertisement