ニュース 2009/01/09 Secretary General Hatoyama Meets with Chinese Foreign Affairs Vice Minister Wang On the evening of January 9, DPJ Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama met with the Chinese Foreign Affairs Vice Minister Wang Guangya and the Chinese delegation members at the DPJ headquarters and reaffirmed the cooperative relationship between China and Japan. Hatoyama began by welcoming his guests and declaring that the DPJ is working to build an environment for a cooperative relationship between the two countries. He said that the party wants to further develop Sino-Japanese relations starting in September of this year at the latest, when the Lower House will be dissolved and the DPJ will win a general election victory, thus cementing its position as the dominant political force. Hatoyama also made reference to the global credit crunch affecting on the real economy, saying that he wants all Asian nations including Japan and China to do all in their power to overcome the crisis. In addition, regarding the issue of developing gas fields in the East China Sea, Hatoyama welcomed that both Japan and China had come to an agreement, to a certain extent, to jointly develop the fields, and he said he was looking forward to soon arriving at an agreement on the remaining issues at ongoing talks. Hatoyama also touched on the UN Security Council's adoption of a resolution that day calling for an immediate cease-fire by the Israeli military in its conflict with the Palestinians, saying that he believed cooperation would be necessary for successful implementation. Vice Minister Wang mentioned his recognition that the DPJ understands the importance of developing relations between China and Japan, as Secretary General Hatoyama's first overseas trip as President of the party in the past was to China. He also said that Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to Japan in May of last year was a sign of improving relations, a chance for even better relations and a historical beginning. Thereafter the two exchanged opinions on the political situation in Japan and North Korean issues. Hatoyama explained the political state of affairs in Japan and expressed his thoughts on winning the general election. He said, "I would like you to hold a feeling of expectation." Also attending the discussion were House of Councillors members Takeshi Maeda, Masamitsu Naito, Kan Suzuki and Kenzo Fujisue.