On April 12, 2002, Premier Zhu Rongji met with
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who came to
attend the first annual conference of Boao Forum for Asia
(BFA), at Boao, Hainan Province.
Zhu expressed
his appreciation for Koizumi's attendance, which showed the
positive attitude of Japan's towards the BFA and regional
cooperation in Asia. He expressed his hope that China and
Japan could strengthen communication and cooperation to
develop the BFA.
Zhu said that this year marks
the 30th anniversary of the normalization of Sino-Japanese
diplomatic ties. Sino-Japanese relations have witnessed
great progress in the past 30 years, and would play a more
important role and exert greater influence in Asia and the
world at large in the 21st century. Political leaders on
both sides should guide Sino-Japanese ties in the right
direction and work for a rejuvenated and prosperous
Asia.
Koizumi extended his congratulations on
the success of the annual conference of BFA and his
agreement with Premier Zhu's views on bilateral relations.
He said that he has come to see China's important role in
the regional economic development of Asia through several
visits to China, and fully recognizeds the importance of
friendly Sino-Japanese relations. China's economic
development poses no threat to Japan. He expressed his view
for the first time in public through BFA. He said that the
development of China and Japan's other neighboring countries
is good for Japan, and means the opportunity of
competition for Japan. He expressed his firm belief that
Japan-China friendly relations are conducive to the people
of the two countries and the Asia
region.
Koizumi suggested Japan and China
establish a consultation system on bilateral economic
relations and trade to ensure a smooth development of
Sino-Japanese economic relations and trade. Premier Zhu
agreed with Koizumi on his view on China's
development.
Zhu said that the future of China
and Japan lies in cooperation. China and Japan are each
other's important economic cooperation and trade partner. To
deepen bilateral mutually beneficial cooperation benefits
both. He agreed with Koizumi on his suggestion to strengthen
coordination between the economic and trade departments of
the two countries.
Zhu invited Koizumi to pay
an official visit to China within the year, and Koizumi
gladly accepted the invitation.
The two sides
also exchanged views on regional and international issues of
common concern.