Zeng Qinghong, an alternate member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), met with Fukushiro Nukaga, former Japanese deputy chief cabinet secretary, and his party in Beijing Monday.

Zeng, who is also a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, extended a warm welcome to the Japanese guests.

He said China is the world's largest developing country and Japan is a major developed country, and it is not only in the fundamental interest of the two peoples but also conducive to regional and world peace and prosperity for them to reinforce cooperation and keep healthy relations.

So long as statesmen of both countries proceed from the overall development of bilateral ties, draw on historical lessons and face up to the future, the problems in bilateral ties can be properly handled and friendship between the two countries can be further deepened.

Nukaga said both Japan and China should increase communication between their statesmen, especially those of the younger generation, in order to help deepen mutual understanding and trust and lay a solid foundation for bilateral ties.

(Xinhua 09/4/2000)