On Wednesday, Vice Premier Wu Yi
stressed the importance of
Sino-Japanese economic relations and called for the set-up of a
bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) to be sped up to ensure
long-term and active ties.
Economic cooperation plays a key role in relations,
and ties have been fruitful thanks to Japan's advantages in
finance, technology, equipment and managerial experience and the
extensive market and abundant labor force in China, Wu said at a
ceremony in Nagoya celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Tokai
Japan-China Trade Center, an institution engaged in promoting
bilateral economic exchange.
Wu noted that economic ties are growing both in
intensity and extent, and to the two countries' mutual benefit.
She proposed that progress toward a FTA be
accelerated, energy cooperation promoted, strategic dialogue in
sectors such as steel strengthened, technological cooperation
cemented, Japan's investment in underdeveloped areas of China
increased and cooperation among small and medium-sized businesses
expanded.
Wu, who arrived in Japan on Tuesday for an
eight-day visit, also met with Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry
Minister Shoichi Nakagawa and Land, Infrastructure and Transport
Minister Kazuo Kitagawa.
She described the two countries' economies as
complementary at the meetings, but said cooperation has been
limited due to serious difficulties in their overall
relationship.
Wu said one of the purposes of her visit was to
help maintain a stable and healthy relationship.
Agreeing with Wu, Nakagawa said up to 20,000
Japanese firms are running business in China, which demonstrated
the importance of economic cooperation.
Kitagawa promised that Japan will make substantial
efforts to facilitate bilateral exchange since ties are so
significant.
(Xinhua News Agency May 19, 2005)