|
On March 30, DPJ President Ichiro Ozawa met with a Chinese delegation led by Politburo Standing Committee member Li Changchun, and held discussions, confirming the friendly relationship between Japan and China. The meeting was attended by Acting President Azuma Koshiishi, Secretary General Yukio Hatoyama, Vice President Seiji Maehara, Diet Affairs Chair Kenji Yamaoka (Secretary General of the Japan-China Exchange and Discussion Mechanism) and Director-General of the Executive Office Tenzo Okumura for the DPJ.
In his opening address, Ozawa expressed his heartfelt appreciation for the delegation’s visit to Japan, saying, “By politicians from both nations engaging in frequent dialogue we can further enhance our friendly relationship, and I think that this is truly splendid.” He commented that he hoped that the delegation would find some time to enjoy their visit to Japan since it coincided with the cherry-blossom season.
Li mentioned that he had met Ozawa some 20 years ago, when Ozawa held the post of Deputy Cabinet Secretary, and said, “Twenty years have passed, and I am truly delighted to see that you have come to play an even more importance role and take on even greater responsibility in Japanese politics. It is my sincere hope that President Ozawa and the DPJ will be able to play an even more significant part in developing Japan-China relations.”
Li also expressed the opinion that it was necessary to increase the number of high-level bilateral exchanges and join forces in order to overcome the difficulties posed by the global financial crisis.
Ozawa responded that he was in total agreement on the need to deepen the ties of friendship between the two countries, and added that Li’s words had reconfirmed his awareness of the efforts being made by the Chinese government toward friendly bilateral relations. He went on to add that the DPJ was currently in opposition and so was not able to respond at a governmental level, but that the party would like to take the lead in Japanese efforts toward this end. The two sides confirmed that building trust between governments and between individuals was important and reaffirmed their commitment toward this goal, in order to advance friendly bilateral relations.
.
|
.jpg)
.jpg)