China and Japan are important trading partners, and to further
strengthen bilateral economic and trade relations is in the
interest of both sides, Premier Wen Jiabao said Tuesday.
Wen made the remarks when meeting with a delegation from the
Japan-China Economic Association, led by President Chihaya Akira
and advisor Mitarai Fujio, who is also chairman of the Japan
Business Federation.
The sustainable, sound and fast development of the Chinese
economy and the opening-up to the outside world provides good
opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in economy
and trade, Wen said.
China welcomes Japanese businesses to actively participate in
China's economic development and make new contributions to the
development of China-Japan relations, he said.
Wen also called on the two countries to properly handle
bilateral relations, saying the China-Japan relations are important
for both sides, and the two sides should approach them from a
strategic and long-term point of view.
He said China is willing to work with the Japanese side abiding
by the principles of the three Sino-Japanese political documents,
including the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement, continuing to adhere
to the principle of taking history as a mirror and looking into the
future and eliminating political obstacles as soon as possible, so
the Sino-Japanese relations develop in a sound and stable way.
Chihaya Akira and Mitarai Fujio agreed with Wen by saying China
and Japan have good opportunities in trade cooperation. They hope
the two countries can exchange experiences, strengthen cooperation
and push forward the bilateral trade relations.
They also called for the two countries to strengthen cooperation
in such fields as environmental protection and energy
conservation.
(Xinhua News Agency September 6, 2006)