The complete opening to group Chinese citizens' travel to Japan
would bring new opportunities for the two countries to further
expand cooperation in tourism, said Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi in
Beijing on Saturday.
China and Japan earlier Saturday jointly announced the new
decision which will be implemented from July 25. Currently, group
Chinese citizens from eight provinces and municipalities including
Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong
Province are allowed to travel to Japan.
Addressing a reception to mark the Sino-Japanese tourism
exchanges, Wu said tourism plays an important role in increasing
mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples and in
promoting healthy and stable development of bilateral
relations.
"The long-term friendly exchanges between the Chinese and
Japanese peoples is the root for Sino-Japanese relations," Wu
noted.
In order to push forward such relationship in a healthy and
stable way, the two sides should, in line with the spirit of taking
history as a mirror and looking forward to the future, increase
mutual trust, strengthen cooperation, and fully implement President
Hu
Jintao's five-point proposals made in Jakarta on improving
bilateral ties, Wu said.
"This is in accordance with the fundamental interests of the two
peoples and is conducive to peace and development of the
Asia-Pacific region and the world at large," she said.
Wu hoped all circles from China and Japan will show concern
about the Sino-Japanese friendship and take more actions beneficial
to the friendship between the two peoples.
"China is ready to make joint efforts with Japan to promote the
healthy development of bilateral good-neighborly friendship," Wu
said.
Visiting Japanese Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport
Kitagawa Kazuo said China is the most important friend of Japan. In
a bid to enhance Japan-China mutual understanding andfriendly
exchanges, he would continue his efforts to expand tourism
exchanges with China and to promote Japan-China friendship, he
said.
(Xinhua News Agency July 3, 2005)