Wu Bangguo (R), chairman of the Standing
Committee of China's National People's Congress, meets with Oishi
Masamitsu, head of a delegation of Japanese upper house lawmakers,
at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, on February 20,
2008.? (Xinhua Photo)
Top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo met in Beijing with a delegation of
Japanese Upper House on Wednesday, calling for enhanced
parliamentary exchanges and bilateral ties.
The current China-Japan relations generally maintain a sound
momentum of growth, with close high-level contacts and active
exchanges in all aspects, said Wu, National People's Congress (NPC)
Standing Committee chairman.
He described 2008 as significant for the development of
bilateral ties as?President Hu Jintao will pay a state visit to Japan. It
will be the first time in the new century for a Chinese president
to visit the country. During his visit Hu will map new blueprints
for bilateral ties with Japanese leaders.
The year 2008 has also been designated as the "China-Japan
Friendly Exchange Year of the Youth" and marks the 30th anniversary
of the conclusion of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between the
two nations. China will host the 2008 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.
This would bring about important opportunities for Sino-Japan
relations, Wu said. He added China was ready to make joint efforts
with Japan to promote bilateral relations to achieve a long term
stable growth.
Hailing the important role of parliamentary exchanges played in
state-to-state relations, Wu said the NPC had established regular
exchange mechanisms with Japanese House of Councilors and House of
Representatives, respectively. Fruitful meetings have been held,
which deepened political trust and friendship between the two
peoples and promoted bilateral ties.
Wu voiced hope that the two sides could continuously use the
regular exchange mechanism as a platform to promote exchanges
between representatives and councilors, deepen mutual understanding
and trust, expand people-to-people exchanges and cooperation on
energy and the environment, among others. This was to make
contributions to stable and healthy China-Japan ties.
Oishi Masamitsu, head of the delegation, said Japanese parties,
the country's parliament and people increasingly felt the
development of Sino-Japan relations does not only meet the
interests of the two peoples, it also plays a great role in
maintaining peace and stability in the region, as well as the
world.
Japan's House of Councilors will continue its efforts to deepen
mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation between the two
countries, he added.
Beijing and Tokyo signed a memorandum in October 2006 on setting
up a regular legislative exchange mechanism, under which the two
sides will host annual meetings in turn. The first meeting under
the mechanism was held in March in Tokyo.
The Japanese delegation is in Beijing to attend the second talks
under the mechanism.
(Xinhua News Agency February 21, 2008)
