Friday, October 24, 2008

1st Day of the 7th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM7)

Prime Minister Taro Aso arrived in Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China, the evening prior to the 7th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM7) to attend the meeting.

In the morning, Prime Minister Aso attended the unofficial breakfast meeting of the leaders of ASEAN+3 (Association of Southeast Asian Nations plus Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea (ROK)) at the Great Hall of the People. At the meeting, Prime Minister Aso set out his view on what needs to be done to realize the sustainable development of ASEAN+3, explaining the importance of transforming economies into ones characterized by greater self-sustaining development in the mid- to long-term as a result of implementing appropriate macro-economic policies; of further liberalization of trade and investment; and of assistance for the efforts toward ASEAN integration. He also indicated Japan's intention to continue actively assisting Asian nations' efforts through the provision of Official Development Assistance (ODA), among other means.

Afterwards, Prime Minister Aso held talks with Mr. Lee Myung-Bak, President of the ROK, at a hotel in Beijing. At the meeting, the leaders agreed to advance the joint efforts to realize a future-oriented "mature partnership." The Prime Minister and the President also concurred on Japan and the ROK's intentions to continue their close cooperation on the international economy. Furthermore, Prime Minister Aso explained to President Lee that, for Japan, abduction and nuclear issues both constitute North Korean issues, and requested the ROK's continuous cooperation with Japan's efforts to resolve both issues. To this, President Lee expressed his support for Japan's position.

Following the Japan-ROK Summit Meeting, Prime Minister Aso held talks with Mr. Wen Jiabao, the Premier of the State Council of China, at the Great Hall of the People. Food safety was among the matters discussed between the two at the meeting. Prime Minister Aso believes that it is necessary to face head-on consumers' anxieties and distrust over "food safety" and that it is a matter of urgency to assuage these anxieties and restore the trust of consumers, in cooperation with China. As such, he urged on China's efforts, to which Premier Wen said that the Chinese Government takes responsibility and intends to strengthen cooperation with Japan. Afterwards, Prime Minister Aso and Premier Wen attended the ceremony for the exchange of instruments of ratification of the Treaty between Japan and the People's Republic of China on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters (Japan-China Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty) and the signing of the Agreement on Consular Relations between Japan and the People's Republic of China (the Japan-China Consular Agreement).

Then, Prime Minister Aso held talks with Mr. Hu Jintao, President of China. During their meeting, in which discussions took place on Japan-China relations among other matters, the leaders agreed to build relations based on personal trust at the summit level, by ensuring that frequent communications take place in a timely manner on various occasions, including telephone talks. Prime Minister Aso also expressed his wish to deepen the peoples' mutual understanding while, in the years to come, steadily continuing youth exchanges, among other activities. In response, President Hu expressed his wish to strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges.

In the afternoon, Prime Minister Aso delivered an address at the reception to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the conclusion of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China. In his address, the Prime Minister said, "We are looking towards the same future. I am convinced that we can have even more confidence in the latent power and vitality of the Japan-China bilateral relationship, as well as in the potential for cooperation between our two countries."

Later, Prime Minister Aso held talks with Dr. Angela Merkel, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. At the meeting, the leaders discussed the international financial crisis and the issue of the world economy. Prime Minister Aso presented his view on the current status of the Asian economy: real economies have started to be affected. Likewise, Chancellor Merkel explained her concern over the impact that the current situation may have on real economies.

Following the Japan-Germany Summit Meeting, Prime Minister Aso returned to the Great Hall of the People to attend the welcome ceremony of ASEM7. After attending the commemorative photo session with the leaders of nations participating in ASEM7, Prime Minister Aso attended the opening ceremony of ASEM7, and then took part in a summit meeting to discuss the international economy and financial situation.

Related Link

• "My Personal Conviction regarding Japan-China Relations"
• 2nd Day of the 7th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM7) (October 25, 2008) -What's Up Around the Prime Minister-
• Press Conference by Prime Minister Taro Aso Following His Visit to the People's Republic of China (October 25, 2008)
• ASEM7 Summit (The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan)