By Xinhua
Tokyo : Visiting Chinese Defence Minister Cao Gangchuan and his Japanese counterpart Masahiko Komura agreed Thursday in their talks to strengthen ties, according to diplomatic officials.
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the normalization of the Japan-China diplomatic ties and offers an important opportunity for the development of the two nations’ relations, Cao said, adding that there were also challenges in bilateral ties.
“Sino-Japanese friendship benefits basic interests of the two as well as peace, stability and development in Asia and the world,” Cao said. “China is ready to continue working with Japan to promote a healthy and stable bilateral relationship.”
The Chinese defence minister noted that defence exchanges between the two neighbours should be put on a strategic level, since they are significant to the building of mutual trust and long-term friendship.
On the Taiwan issue, Cao said the issue involves China’s core interest and China is trying its best to peacefully solve the issue.
Taiwan separatists, led by Chen Shui-bian, have been plotting separatism activities of a large scale, which poses great danger to the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait, the Asia-Pacific region, as well as the world, Cao said.
China hopes that Japan can recognize the sensitivity of the Taiwan issue and stick to the principle of the three political documents and the one-China policy, Cao said, adding that China hopes Japan will have no official contacts with Taiwan and would not send any wrong signals to the separatists.
Komura welcomed Cao warmly. The new defence minister of Japan said building strategic, mutually beneficial relations between Japan and China has promoted bilateral ties. The two neighbours have frequent political exchanges and close economic ties and are working together in many regional and international affairs, Komura said.
The visit by a Chinese defence minister after around ten years is highly significant in promoting the two countries’ understanding, mutual trust and exchanges in the security field, Komura noted, saying that the two sides should promote cooperation and work for all-round development in bilateral ties.
On the Taiwan issue, Komura said that Japan will stick to the position as stated in the three political documents and Japan does not support “Taiwan independence”.
At the meeting, the two defence chiefs agreed to enhance military exchanges to promote mutual trust. They reached a number of agreements regarding Japanese defence minister’s visit to China next year, a China warship visit to Japan this year, as well as other defence exchange issues.
Cao is making the official good-will visit, the first for a Chinese defence minister since 1998, at the invitation of his Japanese counterpart.
Earlier in the day, Cao also met Koichi Kato, former Japanese defence agency director and other former defence leaders at a breakfast meeting.