JCP Chair Shii holds talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao

  Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on April 12 held talks with visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at a Tokyo hotel. Ichida Tadayoshi, JCP Secretariat head, also attended the talks.

   After giving Wen a warm welcome, Shii commented on the Chinese premier’s speech in the Diet earlier in the day, saying, “It was full of enthusiasm and sincerity toward friendship between Japan and China. I am sure that many Japanese people are impressed by your statement.”

   Wen said, “Your party has made great efforts to promote a better relationship between our two countries.”

   Shii referred to the comment he published in October last year welcoming the agreement reached at the Japan-China summit talks on making efforts to build “strategic, mutually beneficial relations” between Japan and China, adding that he was pleased that Wen’s visit to Japan at this time has contributed to successfully making progress in promoting Japan-China friendship.

   Speaking about the results of his visit to Japan, Wen stated, “The need now is to further improve relations in a visible manner between our two countries. I hope that the JCP will make even greater efforts for the promotion of bilateral relations between our two countries.”

Wen calls for public promise to be translated into action

   Shii pointed out that it is important to stop the adverse moves over the historical questions if we are to promote friendship between Japan and China.

  Concerning Wen’s speech to the Diet in which he stated, “China wishes Japan to demonstrate its remorse and apology with concrete actions (over the historical issues),” Shii said, “That is exactly what we believe is important.”

   Shii said that Prime Minister Abe Shinzo has repeatedly made remarks distorting the historical facts of the “comfort women” issue while officially stating that he is following the statements of former Prime Ministers Murayama Tomiichi and (Chief Cabinet Secretary at the time) Kono Yohei and that this has caused repercussions in Europe, the United States, and other countries. He said that the JCP is demanding that Prime Minister Abe withdraw the remarks in question.

   Shii went on to say, “In Japan, a strong adverse current persists trying to justify Japan’s past war of aggression. Although the Japan-China summit last year and Premier Wen’s visit to Japan at this time laid the groundwork for resolving the historical questions, the outcome of this agreement depends on efforts from now on. The JCP is determined to make every effort to eliminate the cause of the adverse current.”

   Wen said, “No one has a right to hurt the sentiments of the Chinese and other Asian peoples. If such a situation occurs, it will make the matter more serious. I made this point over and over again in my talks with Prime Minister Abe.”

   On the issue of peace and stability in Northeast Asia, Shii said that he noted the Chinese government’s emphasis on taking a road to a “peaceful development in Northeast Asia” and its statement that it “opposes hegemonism and power politics in any form” and that it will forever refrain from asserting hegemony and will call for peaceful resolution of international disputes based on the United Nations Charter. He in particular commended China’s efforts as the chair of the six-party talks on North Korean nuclear programs.

   Referring to the JCP’s recent exchanges with China, Shii said, “I keenly feel that China is seeking in earnest a peaceful international environment that will help China achieve its own development.”

   Wen said: “Exactly. We need a peaceful international environment. The ultimate goal of the six-party talks is to build up mechanisms for peace on the Korean Peninsula and maintain long-term stability. This is good for all Asian countries.”

   Shii said, “A success of the six-party talks can be the foundation for creating a community of nations for peace like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).”

   At the end of the talks, Wen said, “We hope that our two parties will continue to have exchanges.”

   Shii said, “I agree with you.”                  - Akahata, April 13, 2007