Chinese premier meets with Japanese PM

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will visit Japan this spring, sources said Sunday in Cebu from the Chinese delegation attending meetings involving the ASEAN, China, Japan and South Korea.

Wen met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Cebu, the second largest city of the Philippines. During the meeting, Abe invited again Premier Wen to pay an official visit in Spring this year. Wen accepted the invitation.

The two leaders exchanged views on bilateral ties as well as international and regional issues of common concern.

They jointly expressed the willingness to continue to further the momentum of improvement and development of bilateral relations.

Wen made positive comments on the momentum of improvement of the Sino-Japanese ties since Abe's official visit to China in October last year shortly after he took office as prime minister.

Wen said the improvement of bilateral ties conforms to the fundamental interests of both countries and was widely welcomed by the international community.

The Sino-Japanese relations are currently in the crucial stage of returning back to the track of normal development, which needs cherishment and greater efforts from both sides, Wen added.

The year 2007 marks the 35th anniversary of the normalization of the Sino-Japanese ties and the next year will mark the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Sino-Japan Peace and Friendship Treaty, Wen said, adding that both constitute important opportunities for further development of bilateral ties.

Both sides should grasp the opportunities for the development of the bilateral ties from a strategic and long-term perspective, and firmly stick to the path of "peaceful co-existence, friendship for generations, cooperation of mutual benefit and common development," said the Chinese premier.

Properly handling the two countries' historical issues is of vital importance to safeguarding the healthy and stable development of bilateral ties, Wen said.

He hoped the Japanese side will abide by the principles set forth in the three political documents signed by the Chinese and Japanese governments and keep its promises to avoid renewed interruption of the overall Sino-Japanese relations over the historical issues.

As for the Taiwan issue, it is related to China's core interests and the political base of the Sino-Japanese ties, Wen added, expressing his hope that the Japanese side will be fully aware of the high sensitivity of the problem, keep its promise of adhering to the one-China policy, and properly address the issue.

The two leaders agreed to increase exchanges of high-level visits and strategic dialogue in the new year, and to expand cooperation in the sectors of energy, environmental protection, finance and high-tech industry.

They also agreed to launch negotiations on investment among China, Japan and South Korea at an early date, conduct close exchanges on defense, expand cultural exchanges between the youth of the two countries, and speed up the consultation process over issues of the East China Sea.

For his part, Abe reiterated that Japan will continue to pursue the path of development as a nation of peace.

He said he had made clear his stance on the historical issue during his visit to China last year. He said Japan is ready to follow the principles and spirit laid out in the three political documents and, on that basis, promote the development of bilateral relations.

Abe said his visit to China was fruitful as the two sides reached an important consensus on developing strategically reciprocal relations.

He said the Japanese side is willing to strengthen dialogue with China, enhance mutual understanding, and jointly overcome existing difficulties between the two countries so as to further push forward the Sino-Japanese relations.

On the Taiwan issue, Abe said Japan has not and will not back away from its commitment in the Japan-China Joint Declaration.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Seventh Trilateral Leader Meeting of China, Japan and South Korea, and the 10th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Plus China, Japan and South Korea (10+3).

The Chinese premier arrived in Cebu on Saturday to attend a series of summits. It was the fourth time for Premier Wen to attend such ASEAN-related summits since 2003.

He will also pay an official visit to the Philippines.