Chinese President Hu Jintao met in Sydney Saturday with
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, to exchange views on bilateral
ties, the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsular and other issues
of common concern.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 15th Economic
Leaders Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
forum. Both China and Japan are APEC members.
All-round Sino-Japanese ties currently maintain a sound momentum
of improvement and development, which are widely welcomed by both
peoples and the international community, Hu said.
"Sino-Japanese ties are now at a crucial juncture," Hu said, "we
should maintain such a sound trend, and push forward the healthy
and steady development of bilateral ties."
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the normalization of
Sino-Japanese ties. Over the next few months, the two countries
will host various activities of friendly exchange, Hu said, hoping
that the two sides will cooperate and support each other to make
these activities a success, in order to enhance the mutual
understanding and friendship of both peoples.
"We welcome Prime Minister Abe to visit China again this year,
and hope both sides will make good preparations to ensure the visit
achieve positive results," Hu told Abe.
Abe echoed Hu's remarks on bilateral ties, saying bilateral
cooperation has made progress in various areas.
Bilateral exchanges and cooperation in defense matters have made
positive progress, which are of great significance, Abe added.
Japan attaches great importance to maintaining high-level
contacts with China and is looking forward to conducting more
contacts with Chinese leaders this year, Abe said.
Japan is ready to work with China to push forward bilateral
ties, Abe added.
Hu, Putin Meet in Sydney
President Hu Jintao also met Russian President Vladimir Putin on
the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum
Saturday.
China and Russia have the necessity to continue to enhance
strategic cooperation in Asia-Pacific security and other areas in a
joint effort to safeguard regional and world peace and stability,
Chinese President Hu Jintao said Saturday.
Situation in the Asia-Pacific region in general remains stable
though there are also some unstable and uncertain elements, he
said.
He urged the two sides to give full play to the bilateral
strategic security consultation mechanism by coordinating stance
and deepening cooperation, thus effectively combating new threats
and challenges.
Both countries should strengthen communication, push forward the
six-party talks and the denuclearization process on the Korean
Peninsula, so as to safeguard peace and stability on the Korean
Peninsula and the whole northeastern Asia, he said.
Hu called on Russia to continue to support China's stance on the
Taiwan issue and its efforts to curb secessionist forces seeking
"Taiwan independence."
During the meeting, Hu spoke highly of the development of the
China-Russia strategic partnership and the important contribution
made by Russian President Putin and the Russian government to
all-round cooperation between the two countries.
China will implement consensus reached by both sides, he
said.
China will firmly promote political mutual trust, deepen
concrete cooperation, and enhance strategic coordination in order
to maintain the momentum in bilateral ties, he said.
He urged both sides to promptly formulate implementation
guidance between 2009 and 2012 of the Sino-Russian treaty of
good-neighborliness, friendship and cooperation.
Putin said the Russia-China ties have reached the unprecedented
high level, thanks to concerted efforts made by both countries.
He said the Russian and Chinese leaders have held frequent
meetings, the bilateral trade has seen rapid growth, cultural
exchanges have been increasingly conducted, cooperation and
friendship have been enhanced steadily in the border areas of both
countries and their cooperation has also improved in regional and
international affairs.
He hailed the cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation
Organization, which was founded in June 2001 grouping China,
Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Putin also expressed gratitude to President Hu and the Chinese
government for the efforts to promote bilateral ties and all-round
cooperation.
He pledged to enhance coordination between the two countries and
in regional and global affairs.
He stressed that the territorial sovereignty constitutes a key
element of norms governing international laws. Russia firmly
supports China on the Taiwan issue, he said, emphasizing that such
a policy "remains unchanged."
Leaders of the 21 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC) wrapped up their annual meeting Sunday in
Sydney, agreeing to further promote trade and improve energy
efficiency for the region's sustainable development.
(Xinhua News Agency September 9, 2007)