Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and his Japanese counterpart
Masahiko Komura held talks in Beijing on Saturday morning, and both
ministers expressed confidence in further development of
China-Japan relations.
According to sources with the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Yang
called Komura "an old friend of the Chinese people" and has long
been devoted to promoting China-Japan relations.
Yang said he expected to discuss in depth with Komura about
China-Japan relations as well as international and regional issues
of common concern.
With the concerted efforts of the two sides, the first
China-Japan high-level economic dialogue, scheduled for Saturday
afternoon in Beijing, would make major achievements, Yang said.
The sources said that Komura agreed with Yang and said he would
work with Yang for new contributions to the Japan-China strategic
relations of mutual benefits.
Komura, who is on the visit at the invitation of Yang, will lead
a Japanese delegation to participate in the first China-Japan
high-level economic dialogue, a major event decided by Chinese
Premier Wen Jiabao and Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo
Fukuda during their meeting in Singapore, two months ago.
The dialogue, with the theme of "Cooperation, Win-Win and
Coordinated Development", will be a platform to exchange economic
development strategies and economic policies.
The event will also be a forum for the discussion of major
bilateral economic concerns and a chance to strengthen
communications on major regional and international economic
issues.
The dialogue will focus on macroeconomic issues, energy
conservation and environmental protection, trade and investment,
and regional and international cooperation.
(Xinhua News Agency December 1, 2007)