Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Thursday said that China
will unswervingly carry out its national policy of opening up to
the outside world.
China's economic development will bring more business
opportunities for its partners, including Japan, Wen said at a
luncheon with a group of important Japanese economic leaders.
"We will abide by the promises made during our accession to the
World Trade Organization, to reduce the limits on market access,
further open up the service sector, and improve relevant laws,
policies and the market environment," he added.
Wen said China and Japan should continue to explore new areas
and channels to elevate the levels of their trade and economic
cooperation.
The Chinese premier put forward a five-point proposal on further
developing China-Japan trade and economic relations:
-- To strengthen cooperation in environmental protection.
Wen said that environmental protection is vital to the common
sustainable development of both nations. As Japan has accumulated a
wealth of experience in this area, both countries can do a lot to
boost mutual cooperation.
-- To deepen energy cooperation.
Wen said that enhancing exchange and cooperation in the energy
sector is in the interests of both sides and conducive to
safeguarding energy security and stability in the world.
The Chinese market welcomes Japan's advanced energy-saving
technologies and management experience, and China is willing to
expand cooperation in the area, as it develops and commercializes
operations of new energy, energy reserve systems and energy
transportation security, he said.
China's modernization depends on advanced science and
technology, Wen said, adding that cooperation and exchange in the
high-tech area will further boost bilateral cooperation.
-- To facilitate cooperation between small- and medium-sized
enterprises
Small- and medium-sized enterprises are playing an important
role in Japan's economic development and overseas investments, Wen
said. China welcomes various forms of cooperation between small-
and medium-sized enterprises of both nations in the areas of
technology and personnel training, he said.
-- To broaden cooperation in the financial sector.
China regards the reform of its financial system as a major task
to deepen economic reforms, and it will push forward the opening-up
process of the financial sector, Wen said.
He said that China supports Japanese financial institutions'
involvement in its financial reforms, and is willing to consolidate
exchange and cooperation in the financial sector and make concerted
efforts in safeguarding financial security and stability in the
region.
-- To promote mutual investments.
Both sides should accelerate the process of making investments
more convenient, Wen said.
The Chinese premier said China called on Japanese businesses to
increase their investments in China, and participate in the
development of western China, the revitalization of the old
industrial bases in northeastern China and the development of
China's central region.
He said that the Chinese government would also encourage and
support Japanese enterprises to invest in China.
In the past 35 years, trade and economic ties between China and
Japan have developed rapidly. The trade volume between the two
countries reached US$207.3 billion last year, nearly 200 times the
figure of 1972.
Japan has set up more than 30,000 enterprises and joint ventures
in China, with an accumulated investment of US$58 billion.
Wen arrived in Tokyo on Wednesday for a three-day official visit
to Japan. He is scheduled to conclude his tour on Friday.
(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2007)
