Li wants China, Japan to boost pragmatic cooperation

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Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has called on China and Japan to promote pragmatic cooperation and boost parliamentary exchanges.

Premier Li made the remarks on Thursday during a meeting with Tadamori Oshima, speaker of the House of Representatives of the Japanese parliament, and Chuichi Date, speaker of the House of Councillors.

He said China is willing to work with Japan in accordance with the four political documents signed between the two countries – to firmly stick to the direction of peace and friendship, enhance strategic mutual trust, facilitate pragmatic cooperation, and promote the steady and long-term development of bilateral relations.

The Chinese premier arrived in Tokyo on Tuesday for an official visit and to attend the 7th China-Japan-South Korea leaders' meeting.

Li's trip is the first by a Chinese premier in eight years and coincides with the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attend a joint news conference in Tokyo, May 9, 2018. /Reuters Photo

China and Japan are now faced with new opportunities for deepening pragmatic cooperation after Chinese President Xi Jinping recently sent a clear message to the world that China would stand firm in expanding its policy of opening up its economy at the Boao Forum for Asia annual conference, Li said.

The premier called on the two countries to make full use of their legislative exchange platform, and guide the public and various circles of their societies to view China-Japan ties in an objective and rational way.

He asked for the sending to the world of positive information of strengthening China-Japan exchanges and for a greater contribution to the improvement of bilateral relations.

Oshima congratulated Li on his successful Japan visit, saying the two countries signed several cooperation documents, and the China-Japan-South Korea trilateral meeting had achieved positive progress.

All of these initiatives contribute to the peace, stability and prosperity of Asia and the world, he said.

April 12, 2006: Tadamori Oshima of the House of Representatives of the Japanese parliament speaks at a press conference. /VCG Photo

The Japanese House of Representatives expects to enhance exchanges with China's National People's Congress, and looks forward to boosting peace and friendship with China and healthy growth of ties through Li's visit, the speaker said.

In his meeting with Date, Li noted that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, and the visit aims to, together with the Japanese side, review the spirit of peace and friendship, follow the principles set out in the treaty, and consolidate political mutual trust to bring China-Japan relations back to normal and achieve new progress on this basis.

As that happens, he said parliamentary, region-to-region, and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries would surely get a new boost, promoting the healthy and steady development of China-Japan ties.

Describing parliamentary exchanges as a major part of the bilateral relations, Li said China is willing to enhance communication with the Japanese parliament to increase mutual understanding and trust and consolidate the public opinion foundation of bilateral relations.

For his part, Date said the peaceful development of China not only bears significance to Japan but to the region and the world as well.

Date urged the two sides to take the 40th anniversary of the peace treaty as an opportunity to continue pushing forward bilateral ties while sticking to the strategic win-win principle and proceeding from overall interests.

The House of Councillors expects to make contributions to boosting mutual understanding and trust between the two countries and carrying forward bilateral ties, he said.

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency