Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on October 8, 2006 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

"We should start from the overall situation of China-Japan relations and follow the world trend and the will of the people, and remain firm in keeping a friendly relationship for generations to come," Wen said.

The Chinese Premier appreciated Abe's positive attitude toward China-Japan relations, saying that as China and Japan have reached a consensus on overcoming political obstacles affecting bilateral ties and on promoting the sound and healthy development of Sino-Japanese relations, the prime minister's visit to China is realized and a "window of hope" has been opened.  Wen said the China-Japan relationship faced both new opportunities of development.

Wen noted that while China-Japan relations had been basically good following the normalization of bilateral ties, they soured over Japanese individual leader's persistent visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, where Japanese class-A war criminals of World War II are honored among the country's war dead.

To achieve the long-term stable and healthy development of China-Japan relations, the shrine issue must be properly handled and the political obstacles affecting bilateral ties must be removed in line with the consensus reached between the two nations, Premier Wen stressed.

"Promises must be kept and action must be resolute," Wen added, noting that that is an important guarantee for pushing forward China-Japan relations.

The construction of China-Japan relationship should be based on the three political documents signed by the two countries and conducted in the spirit of "taking the history as a mirror and looking into the future," said Wen.

Premier Wen made a five-point proposal on developing future bilateral relations:

First, the two should materialize and maintain mutual visits by the leaders of the two countries, enhance communication and exchange at multiple levels and enhance mutual political trust;

Second, the two should continue strategic dialogue, take care of each other's concerns, and conduct in-depth research on significant issues concerning the improvement and advancement of bilateral relations;

Third, the two should improve the economic and technological cooperation mechanism, work out a mid-to-long term plan for bilateral cooperation in various fields and strive for a greater development of economic and trade relations;

Fourth, the two should conduct cultural and educational exchanges, expand non-governmental exchanges and deepen the friendship between the two peoples; and

Fifth, the two should strengthen consultation on regional issues, promote regional cooperation in East Asia and contribute to the peace and development of Asia as a whole.

As to the Taiwan question, Wen said Japan should keep its promise of sticking to the one-China policy and of supporting China's peaceful reunification.

Premier Wen also reiterated that China adheres to the peaceful road of development. It is not an expedient measure, but an inevitable choice based on China's historical and cultural tradition, China's needs for development and the world trend.

China pursues an independent foreign policy of peace and transparent defensive policy of national defense, and is devoted to building a harmonious world, Wen noted. China's development will not pose a threat to anybody, and China opposes hegemony and will not pursue hegemony, the premier said.

Wen expressed appreciation for Japan to draw lessons after the war and to take the road of peaceful development, hoping that Japan would continue its way along the direction of peaceful development.
 Japanese Prime Minister Abe said that Japan sees its relationship with China one of the most important bilateral relations.

Abe said his country would continue to follow the principles and the spirit set forth in the three Sino-Japanese political documents. He admitted that regretful things had happened amid the continuous increase of bilateral trade volume, exchange of cultural activities and personnel.

The Japan-China relationship is currently in a critical stage. It is a common mission and responsibility for the two countries to make constructive contribution to the peace, stability and prosperity of Asia and the world at large, Abe noted.

To achieve that, Japan and China should build a reciprocal relationship that is based on common strategic interests, Abe stressed.

Abe said he believes the future of Japan-China relations will have "no clouds," and he is ready to further the dialogue between the leaders of the two countries.

The prime minister said Japan had brought severe damages and pains to peoples of Asian countries. He made a deep introspection of the past, and stressed that the stance would not change in future.

Japan does not glorify militarism or Class-A war criminals, Abe said, noting that he will properly solve the history issue in line with the consensus of both nations to overcome the political obstacles and improve the bilateral relations.

Japan and China are economically interdependent, he said. The bilateral political and economic relations should, like two wheels, move forward together, so as to lift the Japan-China ties to new heights.

Abe said that Japan would handle the Taiwan issue according to the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement. Japan will stick to the one-China policy and does not support "Taiwan independence," he said.

Before the meeting, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao presided over a welcoming ceremony in honor of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the square outside the east gate of the Great Hall of the People.