Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji arrived in Tokyo Thursday evening for a six-day official visit aimed at strengthening friendly and cooperative relations between China and Japan.

A special plane carrying Zhu and his entourage landed at Tokyo's Haneda airport at 7:45 p.m. local time.

The Chinese premier and his party were greeted at the airport by Chinese Ambassador to Japan Chen Jian, Japanese Ambassador to China Sakutaro Tanino, senior officials from the Japanese government, as well as representatives of overseas Chinese.

In a written statement upon his arrival at the airport, Zhu said China and Japan, two neighbors separated by a strip of water, are two important countries in the region.

The development of bilateral relations is in the fundamental interests of the two peoples and will benefit peace, stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large, he said.

Zhu said the purpose of his current visit is to deepen mutual understanding and trust in the political sphere and to promote mutually beneficial cooperation in the economic field.

During his visit, Zhu said, he will meet with Japanese Emperor Akihito, hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori, and conduct extensive contact with people of various circles to discuss ways to further enhance friendly bilateral ties.

While in Japan, the Chinese premier is also expected to meet Japanese business leaders, make contact with ordinary Japanese people and tour Japan's regional areas.

Japan is the first leg of Zhu's two-nation tour which will also take him to South Korea, where the Chinese leader will attend an Asia-Europe Meeting.

(Xinhua 10/12/2000)