Fukuda, Hu promote 'strategic' interests

Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao signed a joint statement Wednesday on promoting a mutually beneficial strategic relationship without referring to "apologies" or "reflection" over Japan's wartime actions in China.

Chinese President Hu Jintao and Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda respond to questions at a news conference Wednesday following their meeting. (RYUICHI MATSUZAWA/ THE ASAHI SHIMBUN)

The summit between Fukuda and Hu earlier Wednesday was their first since Fukuda visited China in December last year.

Hu arrived in Tokyo on Tuesday for a five-day visit, the first by a Chinese president since his predecessor, Jiang Zemin, arrived here in 1998, which was the last time a joint statement had been signed by the two countries.

During a joint news conference after the signing ceremony, the two leaders indicated that major progress had been made on the sensitive issue of joint development of gas fields in the East China Sea.

"We were in agreement that an early agreement should be reached after hammering out the details," Fukuda said.

Hu added, "The total picture for resolution of the issue has come into view. We agreed to accelerate the discussions in order to reach an agreement as soon as possible."

While there was no announcement of which specific area in the East China Sea would be subject to joint development, a Japanese government source said, "About the only issues remaining are the technical details."

Government officials are hoping that an agreement on joint development can be reached in time for the Group of Eight summit in July at Lake Toyako, Hokkaido. Hu is scheduled to visit Japan again at that time to attend meetings on the sidelines of the G-8 summit.

During their meeting, Fukuda and Hu touched on the importance of resolving the recent health scare caused by tainted frozen gyoza dumplings from China.

"It was an incident that had the potential of leading to the death of a number of individuals and cannot be left with a vague resolution," Fukuda said. "It will not be beneficial to either Japan or China to leave the matter unresolved."

Hu agreed that there was a need for further cooperation by the two nations in investigating the matter.

The two leaders also discussed recent rioting and a police crackdown in Tibet that led to protests against the Olympic torch relay in various parts of the world.

Hu touched upon the recent start of discussions between Beijing and representatives of the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism.

"A major door will be kept open through dialogue," Hu said. "We are opposed to activities that lead to the breakup of our country as well as any action to destroy or interfere with the Beijing Olympics. We will continue the dialogue."

Fukuda asked that discussions continue, saying, "It is a fact that voices of concern are spreading in the international community."

While Fukuda expressed his hopes for a successful Summer Olympics, he left unclear whether he would attend the Opening Ceremony in August.

By not directly mentioning Japan's atonement for its military activities in China before and during World War II, the joint statement signed by Fukuda and Hu sets the stage for a future-oriented approach toward improving ties. Instead, the statement said both countries will "continue to explore a new phase of bilateral relations by squarely facing history."

The statement also said Beijing "thinks much of Japan's standing and role in the United Nations," but it did not include a direct expression pointing to China's support of Japan's bid to become a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council.

As for the Taiwan issue, Japan maintained its position made clear in the 1972 Joint Communique when Tokyo and Beijing normalized diplomatic ties. Japan said in the declaration that it "fully understands and respects the position of the Chinese government."

The two leaders confirmed in the document that Tokyo and Beijing will be actively involved in building an international framework to combat global warming in and after 2013, when the Kyoto Protocol has expired.

China in another statement on climate change said for the first time that Japan's proposed sector-specific approach to curbing greenhouse gas emissions was an "important measure."

Meanwhile, Fukuda thanked Hu at the beginning of Wednesday's meeting for his announcement on Tuesday that China was prepared to lend Japan a pair of giant pandas following the death last week of Ling Ling, the last remaining giant panda at Ueno Zoo.

While the discussions between Fukuda and Hu were cordial, everything was not totally friendly in Tokyo as protests were held by those supporting independence for Tibet.(IHT/Asahi: May 8,2008)