JCP Chair Shii holds talks with Chinese State Councilor Tang

   Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on February 21 held talks with China’s State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan in Tokyo. Their meeting was the first in 8 years. 

   Noting that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the conclusion of the Japan-China Peace and Amity Treaty and the 10th anniversary of the normalization of JCP-CPC relations, Shii and Tang agreed to make efforts to further strengthen JCP-CPC relations that have made an important contribution to the development of relations between the two countries.

   Tang invited Shii to visit China this year.

   Shii appreciated the invitation, saying he hopes to make 2008 a year to further develop JCP-CPC relations.

   Tang opened his statement by thanking Shii for the telegram expressing sympathy for the recent disaster caused by heavy snows in China in January. He explained the steps China is taking to prevent snow disasters.

   He stated that this year will be an important year with Chinese President Hu Jintao expected to visit Japan, and emphasized that he hopes for the healthy and stable development of Japan-China relations through mutual efforts.

   Shii expressed hope for a successful visit to Japan by President Hu Jintao.

   He said that although there have been good times and bad times for Japan-China relations during the last 10 years, JCP-CPC relations have been consistent in developing exchanges in many ways that produced fruitful results and that this has contributed to the development of relations between the two countries.

   Referring to the adverse currents that arose in Japan concerning historical issues, Shii said that the JCP and the CPC have respectively made efforts to overcome them and that he welcomes the resumption of mutual visits by Japanese and Chinese leaders.

   Tang responded to Shii by saying that he is in agreement with Shii’s view concerning Japan-China relations and spoke about the main points of the CPC 17th Congress held in October 2007. He explained China’s domestic policy aiming for a people-oriented and scientific and harmonized development and China’s foreign policy that is devoted to making the world and Asia peaceful and prosperous.

   Noting that China has begun to pay attention to the problems of social disparities and pollution in connection with its recent economic development, Shii said that the effort to achieve a sustainable and harmonious development represents needed explorations. He expressed hope that China as a nation aiming for socialism will play an active role on various issues facing the world, including peace, the economy, and the environment.
- Akahata, February 22, 2008