Wednesday, April 29, 2009

1st Day of the Prime Minister's Visit to China

Prime Minister Taro Aso, who left Haneda Airport on the government airplane to visit the People's Republic of China, arrived in Beijing, the capital of China, on the afternoon of April 29 (local time).

The Prime Minister first visited the Beijing Japan Culture Center of the Japan Foundation. After receiving an explanation from Mr. Yasuhiko Fujita, Director of the Center, on Center's activities, Prime Minister Aso visited a booth for the International MANGA Award and observed a dubbing by students majoring in the Japanese language at Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU).

The Prime Minister, after attending a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, held talks with Mr. Wen Jiabao, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China. During the talks, the leaders discussed Japan-China relations and the issue of North Korea. On Japan-China relations, Prime Minister Aso stated that Japan and China must develop a mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests. The leaders confirmed their intention to seize various opportunities this year to continue having high level communications. They also agreed that Japan and China, in light of the gravity of the situation concerning the pandemic influenza issue, would exchange information and cooperate on preventive measures. The Prime Minister and the Premier also exchanged views on the environment, energy and climate change issues, promotion of exchanges, food safety, resource development in the East China Sea, and enhanced cooperation on efforts such as nuclear disarmament. On the area of the economy and business, the leaders agreed to hold the Second Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue in Tokyo on June 7. On North Korea, Prime Minister Aso stated that Japan considered the Six-Party Talks to be the most realistic framework for the denuclearization of North Korea to be advanced, and that Japan expected China, as the Chair of the Six-Party Talks, to play an important role, requesting China's continued cooperation on this endeavor. In response, Premier Wen stated that China wished to achieve the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through the Six-Party Talks.

Related Link

• 2nd Day of the Prime Minister's Visit to China (What's up around the Prime Minister)
• Japan-China Relations (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)