Top �� What's up around the Prime Minister �� April, 2002

Prime Minister Attends the Boao Forum for Asia Friday, April 12, 2002 Click photographs to enlarge On April 11, 2002, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi paid a visit to Hainan Island of the People's Republic of China, and on April 12, attended the First Annual Conference of the Boao Forum for Asia. This Forum was held with the objective of providing an opportunity to exchange opinions among participants from various areas (political, business, academic, etc.) of Asian nations and regions on economic development and cooperation within Asia as well as between Asia and other regions. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of the Kingdom of Thailand and Premier Zhu Rongji of the People's Republic of China were among those in attendance. Leading Figures from business community of Asia and the rest of the world participated in the discussions. In his keynote speech, Prime Minister Koizumi expressed his view that enhanced mutual and complementary relations between Japan and China would contribute to building a cooperative structure in Asia, including the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In this context, he mentioned that he would not agree to the view held by some that China has become an economic threat to Japan. On the afternoon of the same day, Prime Minister Koizumi held bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Thaksin of Thailand and Premier Zhu Rongji of China. In the meeting with Prime Minister Thaksin of Thailand, the leaders exchanged views on enhancing Japan-Thailand cooperation toward realizing the Japan-ASEAN Comprehensive Economic Partnership and on the regional situation. Furthermore, in the meeting with Premier Zhu Rongji of China, the leaders reached an agreement that the situation concerning the salvage of the unidentified vessel that sank in China's exclusive economic zone in the East China Sea would be resolved in a calm and cautious manner. Moreover, the leaders agreed on the establishment of a framework for comprehensive economic consultation in order to prevent trade friction. After completing his entire itinerary, Prime Minister Koizumi departed for Japan on April 13.