ニュース 2009/12/10 Ozawa meets with President Hu Jintao On December 10, DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa met with Chinese Communist Party General Secretary and President of the People’s Republic of China Hu Jintao in Beijing. The meeting was also attended by DPJ Acting Secretary General Azuma Koshiishi, Diet Affairs Chair Kenji Yamaoka and other senior members of the DPJ “Japan-China Exchange and Discussion Mechanism/Great Wall of China Project” (tentative translation) delegation currently visiting the Chinese capital. Hu welcomed the DPJ delegation in the Great Hall of the People and the meeting took place after a commemorative photo shot had taken place with the entire DPJ delegation. Hu touched on the significance of Japan-China relations, saying, “The good times we are enjoying now are the fruits of the efforts of those on both sides, and in particular of the sweat of our predecessors. We must value their efforts by nurturing them so that their effect is doubled.” He went on to say that exchanges had deepened since the DPJ government had taken power in September, and expressed the opinion that the period of excessive reactions in the bilateral relationship had drawn quietly to an end. Ozawa referred to the importance of continuing with party-to-party exchanges, saying that if frank discussions can be undertaken at the party level it will be helpful. He added “The fight for liberation is not over yet,” and expressed his determination to stabilize the base for the government by gaining a majority at the House of Councillors election. Ozawa expressed his feeling about his role, saying, “We are already mustering and training our troops. In order to gain victory, Prime Minister Hatoyama is focusing on the government of the nation, and I myself am determined to fulfill my role as the commander-in-chief of the troops in the election battle, until we have won our final victory.” He went on to say that he would like to create an environment where frank discussions could take place, and further deepen the relationship between Japan and China.” Hu said that the Chinese Communist Party was actively involved in the Exchange and Discussion Mechanism, and commented, “I would like it to become a platform where we can realize common development through such mutual dialogue.”