On the morning of April 29, 2008, Chinese President Hu Jintao met with former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone at the Great Hall of the People.

"Sino-Japanese relations are now improving further," Hu said. Hu indicated that the leaders of the two countries have maintained frequent contacts, and cooperation on politics, trade, culture, defence and youth exchanges has scored remarkable achievements. The two countries have also conducted close consultations in coping with global challenges like climate change and sustainable development and in maintaining regional and world peace and stability. "We thank the Japanese government for its adherence to the one-China policy on the Taiwan and Tibetan questions, and its support for the Beijing Olympic Games," Hu said.

Hu noted China and Japan are both important countries in Asia and the world, and developing the strategic and reciprocal relations conforms to the fundamental interest of the two countries and peoples, and is also of great significance to peace and stability in Asia and the world at large. "The Chinese government attaches importance to relations with Japan, and sticks to the foreign policy of treating neighbors well and as partners," he said. China always upholds peaceful coexistence, friendship for generations, mutual benefits and common development between the two countries, Hu said, expressing willingness to join hands with Japan to push forward strategic and reciprocal relations.

Noting the importance of Japan-China ties to the development of the two countries and East Asia, Nakasone said both sides should treat each other in a candid manner, keep common ground while reserving differences, face the future and build a long-term friendship on the basis of reflection on the history. He said the Japan-China relations have now entered a new stage, expressing hope that the two countries would take Hu's upcoming visit to Japan as an opportunity to open a new chapter in Japan-China relations.

Nakasone wished the Beijing Olympic Games a great success.

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and President of Xinhua News Agency Li Congjun attended the meeting.

Nakasone is here attending the Forum of Northeast Asian Prominent Figures at the invitation of Xinhua News Agency.