Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said in a Japan-China friendship
organization paper that Japan would promote exchanges with China in 2007 to
build strategic bilateral ties for mutual benefit.
Next year marks the 35th anniversary of normalization of the Japan-China
diplomatic relations, Abe said in a New Year address published Saturday in the
organ paper of the Japan-China Friendship Association.
He noted that efforts would be made to boost the bilateral relations to a new
level through activities surrounding "the cultural and sports exchange year."
"The destination of my first foreign visit as prime minister was China," Abe
said in the paper named "Japan and China". The realization of the visit means
that "both countries value the relations and acknowledge the necessity of frank
dialogue and exchanges."
Abe also mentioned his later meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao in
Hanoi, Vietnam, in which they reached agreement in promoting exchanges. Such
dialogues and exchanges will be a great help for future relations, he said.
Since the normalization of the Japan-China diplomatic ties in 1972, the two
neighbors have established unprecedented ties in economic areas and personnel
exchange, he said in the address.
Over 1,000 high school students from either country visited the other in
2006. The exchange between the youths, who carry the responsibilities for
future, is very important for the development of bilateral ties and he would
endeavor to offer support, the premier added.