China, Japan vow to further strategic, reciprocal relations

BEIJING—President Hu Jintao said on Wednesday that China would work with Japan to expand strategic relations.
Hu made the remarks in a meeting with a delegation from the two Japanese ruling parties headed by Ibuki Bunmei, Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party, and Kitagawa Kazuo, Secretary-General of the Komei Party.
Hu said Sino-Japanese relations were developing and exchanges and cooperation had expanded. He added that the two sides had continued consultations about regional and international affairs and major issues of concern to both.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the China-Japan Peace and Friendship Treaty, and it is also a year of friendly exchanges for youth of the two countries. Hu said Sino-Japanese relations presented new opportunities for development.
“The Chinese government and party value relations with Japan, and developing long-term, good-neighborly relations has been our consistent guideline,” he said.
He vowed to expand exchanges and cooperation with Japan to promote mutual understanding and trust to achieve peaceful co-existence, reciprocal cooperation and common prosperity.
The Japanese guests said that the Japanese ruling parties and the nation’s people would promote strategic and reciprocal relations with China.
Ibuki Bunmei said Japan supported China in holding the Olympic Games. The Games would be a great event in Asia and Japan wished for its success, he noted.
The Japanese delegation arrived here on Tuesday and met with Chinese State councilor Dai Bingguo on the same day.
Japanese Olympic Committee President Tsunekazu Takeda said Friday that it is “a shame” that the Olympic torch relay has become the target of political protesters.
“There is nothing wrong with the torch relay itself,” Takeda was quoted by media as saying.
He ruled out the possibility of any changes for the upcoming Beijing 2008 Olympic torch relay scheduled for April 26 in the central Japanese city of Nagano.
“The best thing is to do it as planned,” said Takeda, adding that the Japanese Olympic Committee is ready to carry on the Olympic flame relay despite any interference.—Xinhua