Fuwa holds talks with CPC International Department deputy director

Japanese Communist Party Central Committee Chair Fuwa Tetsuzo on March 12 held talks with Liu Hongcai, deputy director of the Communist Party of China International Liaison Department at the JCP head office in Tokyo.

Liu referred to the fruitful results of various exchanges the JCP and the CPC have had in the last six years since their normalization of relations and congratulated the JCP on its successfull 23rd Congress last January. He said that he regards that the revision of the JCP Program was in accord with the present-day world current.

Liu said that exchanges between the two parties are of great significance and that he wants the relationship to develop further. In this context, he requested Fuwa to send a high-level delegation to the third conference of Asian political Parties scheduled for early September in Beijing.

Fuwa thanked him for the invitation and said he also wanted the relations between the two parties to further develop.

Asked about the recent developments of the JCP's relations with political parties in Asia and the rest of the world, Fuwa said that relations with Islamic countries have made significant progress, including contacts with their embassies in Tokyo. He particularly mentioned the latest meeting with eight ambassadors from the Middle East and Africa.

On Japan-China relations, Liu stated that the mainstream supports mutual cooperation and development but he also stressed that issues concerning history such as the Japanese prime minister's visit to Yasukuni Shrine create obstacles.

Fuwa explained the JCP position on this question and, at Liu's request, the present state of political parties in Japan. Fuwa said that the JCP is working to achieve an advance in the House of Councilors election in July, and that the participation by Chinese and other international guests in the JCP 23rd Congress greatly encouraged the JCP by giving delegates an opportunity to have contact with the world's mainstream standing for social progress.

Referring to the National People's Congress, Chinese parliament now in session, Liu said that the constitution will be revised to include provisions for protecting personal properties. He added that the NPC is also focusing on the issues of achieving a balanced development of the economy and society, narrowing the gaps between cities and rural villages, and guaranteeing increased income for farmers.

Fuwa and Liu exchanged opinions concerning an approach toward socialism by way of a market economy.

Also present in the talks were: Ogata Yasuo, JCP International Department director and House of Councilors member, Li Dongping, deputy bureau director-general of the Asia Bureau II of the CPC International Department, and Zhao Shitong, deputy director of the Japan Division of the CPC International Department. (end)