President Hu Jintao
met with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi in Santiago on
Sunday, after the end of the 12th Economic Leaders' Meeting of the
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.
Hu said that development of long-term relations with Japan is of
greater significance today than ever before, and that the
leaderships of both countries should focus on the future.?
In order to achieve this, Hu put forward three guidelines:
-- Both countries should abide by the three documents they have
cosigned and promote exchanges and cooperation in a spirit of
"taking history as a mirror and looking into the future";
-- They should improve coordination and cooperation in regional
and international affairs;
-- They should enhance cooperation in energy, environmental
protection and other areas, while continuing to deepen cooperation
in trade.
Hu said that the key issue stalling development of ties was
Japanese leaders' visits to the controversial Yasukuni Shrine,
which honors Japanese killed in fighting since the mid-19th
century, including 14 convicted war criminals from World War
II.
The longer the issue lingers, the more seriously it will hurt
the feelings of the people of China and other countries that had
suffered enormously from Japanese aggression, Hu said.
He said Japan should take a responsible attitude toward its
wartime history and bear in mind the bigger picture of forging good
relations and contributing to peace and development in Asia.
Hu reiterated the government's stance on Taiwan and expressed
his appreciation of Japan's adherence to a one-China policy and
pledge of non-support for Taiwan independence.
Speaking on the same occasion, Koizumi said he is convinced that
China's development is an opportunity rather than a threat, adding
that more and more people have recognized this.
He said he hopes China keeps its growth momentum, which will be
beneficial to Japan and the world as a whole.
His government attaches great importance to its relations with
China and hopes to constantly promote mutually beneficial
cooperation, he said.
Koizumi said he does recognize the importance of "taking history
as a mirror" and considers it important to reflect on wartime
history. Japan will never launch a similar war, he said.
On his visits to Tokyo's Yasukuni Shrine, Koizumi said he
understands China's stance on the issue. Koizumi has paid four
visits to the shrine since he took office in 2001, with the latest
one in January.
After the meeting, President Hu continued his Latin American
tour with a visit to Cuba on Monday. Here he met with Fidel Castro
and other Cuban leaders to exchange views on
bilateral relations and major international issues.
Cuba was the first Latin American country to establish full
diplomatic relations with China in 1960. Hu previously visited Cuba
in 1997.
Two-way trade between?China and Cuba?has totaled about
US$400 million annually over the past three years. Trade volume
reached US$401 million from January to September, up 36.7 percent
on the previous year.
(Xinhua News Agency November 23, 2004)