Chinese, Japanese finance ministers discuss co-op

TOKYO—Visiting Chinese Finance Minister Xie Xuren and his Japanese counterpart Fukushiro Nukaga held talks Sunday on bilateral cooperation on such global issues as the IMF reforms, development and climate change.
The talks have been the Second Japan-China Finance Dialogue since the two countries decided to establish a regular dialogue mechanism on the sidelines of the Sixth Asian-European Finance Ministers’ Meeting in the northern Chinese port city of Tianjin in June 2005. During the ministerial talks, the two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on recent macroeconomic development on global economy, Asian economy, as well as the economies of both countries, said a joint press release after the dialogue.
The two ministers discussed fiscal policies of the two countries, such as policy measures for the rapidly aging society with low birthrate and the fiscal system for the central-local government, it said. They also exchanged views on regional cooperation, particularly the ASEAN+3 financial cooperation such as the Chiang Mai Initiative and the Asian Bond Markets Initiative.
At the conclusion of the dialogue, which was held in advance of Chinese President Hu Jintao’s visit to Japan, the two sides reaffirmed that the Japan-China dialogue contributes to promoting the “Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Interest” between the two countries in the field of finance.
The two ministers agreed to hold the next Japan-China Finance Dialogue in China. The First China-Japan Finance Dialogue was held in Beijing on March 25, 2006. During the talks, then Chinese Finance Minister Jin Renqing and his Japanese counterpart Sadakazu Tanigaki discussed bilateral, regional and global financial and economic situations.
China has called on the United States and Japan to keep their word on the Taiwan issue. “China hopes the United States and Japan will carry out their promises of not supporting ‘Taiwan independence’ or Taiwan authority’s proposed ‘referendum on UN membership’”, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said in a written interview with Russia’s Interfax news agency. Yang made the remarks in response to a question on the influence of Taiwan issue on Sino-U.S. and Sino-Japanese relations.
Yang told the Russian journalist that Taiwan issue is one that matters the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of China and a great concern of 1.3 billion Chinese people and tens of millions of overseas Chinese. Taiwan issue has always been the most important and sensitive one in the relations between China and United States.
Addressing the issue based on the one-China policy is pivotal to the healthy and stable development of mutual ties, he said. The issue is also significant in China-Japan relations, Yang added. To handle the issue properly is a fundamental condition for the smooth development of China-Japan relations. Yang said that the situation across the Taiwan Straits now is “highly complex and sensitive” and that Chen Shui-bian clings obstinately to secessionist activities, including the “referendum on UN membership”. This poses a serious threat to peace and stability in the region, he said.
Yang said that the United States and Japan had already said many times they support the one-China policy and oppose “Taiwan independence” and the proposed “referendum on the UN membership”. In a reply to the questions on linking issues like human rights to the Beijing Olympics, Yang said China welcomes constructive advices and criticism, but objects to intervention in its internal affairs and intervening the Beijing Olympics with political purposes.
“(The linkage) violates the common aspiration of the international community and the Olympic spirit”, Yang said, adding it would be unfair to China and unfair to the Olympics and all people who share their passions for sports, Yang said.

—Xinhua