On May 7, 2008, Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda in Tokyo. The two leaders exchanged frank and in-depth views on Sino-Japanese relations as well as issues of common concern in a candid and friendly atmosphere and reached broad consensus. Hu emphasized that bilateral ties are now standing at a new historical starting point and facing new opportunities for further development. He urged both sides to make joint efforts to seek for new prospects for the two countries' strategic and mutually beneficial relations. Both sides agreed that to develop Sino-Japanese long-term and stable good-neighborly friendship is in the fundamental interests of the two countries and their peoples and is also of great significance to peace, stability and prosperity of Asia and the world at large.

On Sino-Japanese relations, Hu said China and Japan are close neighbors separated by a narrow strip of water, and the two peoples have enjoyed friendly exchanges for more than 2,000 years, though there was a miserable period of time between the two countries. President Hu said historical experience has demonstrated China and Japan must seek a path of peace, friendship and cooperation. This is the sole right choice which is in the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples. Peaceful coexistence, friendship for generations, mutual benefit and common development between the two nations are of vital importance to the peace, stability and prosperity of Asia and the world at large, he added.

Against the background of continuous development of bilateral ties and profound changes in Asian and international situations, the two countries have witnessed their expanding common interests and increasing common responsibilities. Bilateral relations are standing at a new historical starting point and facing new opportunities for further development, Hu said, adding both sides should make joint efforts and make use of the opportunities to promote bilateral ties to a new high. To this end, the Chinese president made proposals in the following six aspects. First, consolidate the political foundation for their bilateral relations. The two countries should abide by the principles set forth in the three political documents to guide bilateral ties and properly handle important and sensitive issues such as history and the Taiwan question in line with the principle of taking history as a mirror and looking forward to the future, Hu said. Second, enhance strategic mutual trust. The two countries should treat each other as a long-term cooperative partner, support the other's peaceful development, take into consideration the other's major concerns and properly address any disagreement through dialogue and consultation, he said. Third, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation. Hu urged both sides to make full use of the complementarity between their economies, create new major fields and new highlights for cooperation, greatly promote trade and economic cooperation, and consolidate the material foundation for China-Japan ties. Fourth, enhance friendly sentiments between the two peoples. Hu suggested the two sides should bear in mind the long-term development of bilateral ties, push personnel and cultural exchanges to be carried out at various levels, via multiple channels and in different fields and enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, especially between younger generations of the two countries, so as to consolidate the social basis of bilateral friendship. Fifth, establish and improve cooperation mechanisms in all areas. The Chinese president said the two sides should continuously improve mechanisms on exchanges and cooperation between their governments, political parties and legislative bodies, as well as on economy, culture and defense, and consolidate the framework for long-term sound and stable development of bilateral ties, so as to guarantee the development of bilateral ties. Sixth, expand cooperation in international and regional affairs. Both sides should strengthen strategic coordination and cooperation, with the focus on Asia. He suggested both sides join hands in promoting the peace mechanism in Northeast Asia and Asia's regional cooperation, contribute to the rise of Asia and embrace global challenges.

Expressing his warm welcome to Hu's visit on the 30th anniversary of the endorsement of China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, Prime Minister Fukuda said Japan is willing to work with China to push forward bilateral ties. He said Japan-China friendly exchanges have lasted for more than 2,000 years, but problems also occurred in bilateral ties. What is important is that the two sides, especially the leaders of the two countries, should proceed from the overall situation, reach consensus on the path for developing bilateral ties, stick to their beliefs and make practical efforts to push forward bilateral relations, said Fukuda.

Fukuda said the two countries have responsibilities to contribute to peace and development of Asia and the world at large. To this end, he suggested that both sides should build up understanding, enhance mutual trust and strengthen cooperation. Japan appreciated the efforts by the Chinese government and people in building a harmonious society and is ready to continue cooperation with China, Fukuda said, adding that his country is looking forward to the success of the Beijing Olympic Games and is ready to do its utmost in cooperating with China.

Hu put forward suggestions on expanding bilateral exchanges and cooperation in the following five aspects. First, maintain high-level exchanges. Both sides should establish a mechanism for a regular exchange of visits between leaders of the two countries, and continue to have meetings on multilateral occasions. Second, boost bilateral cooperation in economy and trade and technology. Hu proposed that the two countries should improve and strengthen high-level economic dialogue, enhance cooperation in technology-related trade and innovation, push forward the cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises of the two countries, share experience on intellectual property rights protection, and carry out cooperation on peaceful use of nuclear energy. Third, promote cooperation on environmental protection. Hu suggested that the two sides reinforce exchanges and cooperation in dealing with water pollution and on energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emission reduction technologies, and expand cooperation between recycling-style cities. Fourth, expand humanities exchanges. Hu also said China and Japan should seize the opportunity of the 30th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship to vigorously push forward people-to-people exchanges, build up a long-term mechanism for exchanges between the youths of the two countries, and set up cultural centers in each other's countries at an early date. Fifth, strengthen exchanges on national defense. Hu proposed that the two countries strengthen high-level exchange of visits by defense departments of the two countries and expand multi-level exchanges and cooperation. Fukuda echoed the suggestions made by Hu. The two leaders also agreed to continue cooperation in facilitating the process of destroying chemical weapons abandoned by Japan in China at the end of World War II, and on the issues of climate change, denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and promoting regional cooperation in East Asia as well as support for Africa's development.

Following the talks, Hu and Fukuda signed a joint statement on comprehensively advancing strategic and reciprocal relations between the two countries.

Member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee (CPCCC) & Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee Ling Jihua, Member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee (CPCCC) & Director of the Policy Research Office of the CPC Central Committee Wang Huning and State Councilor Dai Bingguo attended the above-mentioned activities.