Aso Says to Properly Handle Historical Issues with China -- china.org.cn

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso said on Friday that Japan will continue to abide by the principles set forth in the three joint political documents, including the joint statement, to properly handle the historical issues and the Taiwan issue.

Aso made the remarks in meeting with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing. He also said Japan welcomes China's development, which is an opportunity for Japan.

For his part, Li said during Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to China last year, the two countries reached common consensus on building strategic and mutually beneficial relations, and on goals of future development.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's upcoming visit to Japan in April will be of great and far-reaching significance for the two sides to consolidate the improvement trend in bilateral ties and to promote long-term cooperation between the two countries, Li said.

The two countries should work together to foster strategic mutual trust, promote cooperation of mutual benefit, expand common interests, strengthen exchanges in various fields and appropriately handle historical issues and the Taiwan issue, so as to maintain the overall situation between the two countries, Li added.

Aso also said the development in Japan-China ties is now taking on a good momentum, adding that the Japanese side attaches great importance and is looking forward to Premier Wen's visit.

Japan is ready to work with China to ensure the visit's success, so as to push forward the Japan-China strategic and mutually beneficial relations, Aso added.

Li, at Aso's invitation, began his visit to Japan on Thursday.

(Xinhua News Agency February 17, 2007)