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Wen: China-Japan strategic partnership enters new phase

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-10-11 20:20

BEIJING: The China-Japan strategic partnership of mutual benefits has entered a new phase with the joint efforts of the two countries, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said here on Saturday.

Wen made the remarks Saturday in his meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, who is in Beijing for the second trilateral leaders' meeting of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK).

Wen appreciated Hatoyama's long-term commitment to actively strengthening the bilateral ties, saying that the development of China-Japan relations is of great importance to the two countries, Asia as well as the world.

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Wen noted that the two nations should continuously increase strategic efforts and comprehensively boost cooperation in the principle of the four political documents between China and Japan, so as to further enhance their relations and achieve the goals of peaceful coexistence, friendship for generations, reciprocal cooperation and common development between the two countries.

Wen raised a four-point suggestion on bilateral relations.

The two countries should strengthen high-level exchanges and maintain timely communication on bilateral ties and important issues, said Wen, adding that the East China Sea issue should be addressed according to the consensus reached by the two sides.

Under the China-Japan consensus on the East China Sea issue, reached in June, 2008, the two sides will, through joint exploration, select by mutual agreement areas for joint development in the block mentioned by the consensus under the principle of mutual benefit.

The two sides also agreed to continue discussions for the early realization of joint development in other parts of the East China Sea.

Wen said China and Japan should give full play to the bilateral high-level economic dialogue and boost cooperation in major fields of energy, finance, environmental protection, telecommunication and high-technology, in order to promote the continuous and stable growth of bilateral trade and investment.

Wen also expressed hope that the two countries could increase cultural exchanges and strengthen the understanding and friendship of the two peoples.

China and Japan should strengthen coordination on regional and international issues to substantively advance the regional cooperation and integration in the East Asia, he said.

Hatoyama conveyed congratulations on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.

He said Japan will look into the future while facing up to historical issues. It will also strive to establish strategic and mutually beneficial China-Japan relations based on the four political documents.

Japan would like to maintain contacts with Chinese top leaders, enhance bilateral cooperation in economy and trade, as well as promote cultural and youth exchanges, Hatoyama said.

It would also like to appropriately handle the East China Sea issue in line with the consensus reached by the two sides, he said.

The trilateral meeting was held in the Great Hall of People. It was chaired by Wen and attended by Hatoyama and ROK President Lee Myung-bak .