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Startup Meeting for Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue
Reception to Welcome Premier Wen Jiabao's Visit to Japan
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the startup meeting for a Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Iikura House along with Mr. Wen Jiabao, the Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, who was visiting Japan. This Dialogue is to be promoted by economic ministers from the two countries with the aim of realizing concrete development of the mutually beneficial relationship between Japan and China based on common strategic interests. At the start of the meeting, Prime Minister Abe said, "This Dialogue will initiate a new step in the Japan-China economic relationship. As the top economic officials of our countries meet face-to-face, I expect them to promote heart-to-heart dialogue based on a long-term, cross-sectoral and global perspective, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of the global economy in the 21st century." Premier Wen said in response, "The initiation of this Dialogue testifies that our economic cooperation mechanism has advanced to a higher stage." After appointing Mr. Taro Aso, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, and Mr. Zeng Peiyan, the Vice-Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, as the chairmen for each side, Prime Minister Abe and Premier Wen agreed to hold the first meeting of the Dialogue in Beijing. Afterwards, at a hotel in Tokyo, Prime Minister Abe attended a Reception to Welcome Premier Wen Jiabao's Visit to Japan, an event for the Japan-China Exchange Year of Culture and Sports 2007 and the 35th Anniversary of the Normalization of Relations between Japan and China. Prime Minister Abe addressed the participants, saying, "Through the past three meetings, Premier Wen and I have been able to create an open-hearted relationship in which we can talk quite frankly with each other. I am determined to join hands with Premier Wen to devote our utmost efforts to the development of the Japan-China relationship."
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