Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Wednesday urged Japan to
properly handle history issues and the Taiwan question.
During talks with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, Wen said
the history issues are affecting the national sentiments of the
Chinese people and are matters of grave importance and principle
which have a direct bearing on the political foundation of
China-Japan relations.
The wars of aggression launched by the Japanese militarists
against China not only brought catastrophe to the Chinese people,
but also inflicted suffering on the Japanese people, Wen said.
"We should take history as a mirror and face up to the future,
that is to say we should learn lessons from history and break a new
path of friendly cooperation," Wen said.
"We hope that the Japanese side would strictly adhere to the
principles stated in the three political documents and properly
handle the historical issues to preserve and foster the trend of
improvement of bilateral ties," he said.
For his part, Abe said that it is his "ideal and faith" to
continue to follow the principles and spirit stated in the three
political documents between the two countries and to push forward
the development of bilateral relations.
"I will treat history seriously and adhere to the path of
peaceful development. There won't be any change in my attitude in
the future," he told Wen.
On the Taiwan question, Wen stressed that the issue concerns
China's core interests.
China will do its utmost to achieve a peaceful settlement of the
Taiwan issue, but is firmly opposed to the "de jure independence"
attempt by the Taiwan authorities and all other forms of
secessionist activities, he said.
China hopes that Japan would realize the high sensitivity of the
Taiwan issue, and would keep its promises and handle the issue
prudently, Wen said.
Abe said the Japanese side sticks to its positions stated in the
three political documents between the two countries, adding that
his country adheres to the one-China policy and does not support
"Taiwan independence."
The two sides also agreed to speed up the process of
negotiations on the issue of the East China Sea and try to find a
resolution acceptable to both sides at an early date, so as to make
the East China Sea "a sea of peace, friendship and
cooperation."
After the talks, Wen and Abe attended the signing ceremony of
bilateral cooperation documents on such fields as energy and
environmental protection.
(Xinhua News Agency April 12, 2007)
