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Wen, Japanese PM discusses DPRK rocket launch

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-04-11 20:44

PATTAYA -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso in Pattaya on Saturday and discussed bilateral ties and the recent rocket launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Premier Wen Jiabao (R) meets with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso in Pattaya, Thailand, on April 11, 2009. [Xinhua]

The two leaders, who were in Pattaya for the ASEAN-related summits, met at the Hotel Dusit Thani in the coastal city. The summits had been scheduled for Saturday and Sunday but were cancelled because of anti-government protests.

During their meeting, Wen said China and Japan share more common interests and responsibilities as the international financial crisis continues to spread and create more profound impacts.

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Both sides should, with a high sense of responsibility and accountability, strengthen cooperation and join hands to confront the challenges brought by the crisis, Wen said.

He also said the two should promote strategic reciprocal relations and contribute to the stability and development of Asia as well as the rest of the world.

China and Japan, Wen said, should maintain their close high-level contacts and exchanges, which are conducive to enhancing political mutual trust.

The Chinese premier said he welcomes a visit by Aso to China in the near future and is looking forward to the second tripartite summit between China, Japan, and South Korea in China later this year.

China is willing to work with Japan to appropriately handle sensitive issues in bilateral relations based on the principles in the four bilateral political documents and relevant understandings, Wen said.

He said China also is willing to enhance friendship between the two peoples to ensure the sound, stable development of Sino-Japanese relations.

Aso, for his part, spoke positively about bilateral relations, which he said have been improved and enhanced.

Japan attaches great importance to its relations with China, he said. Aso said he is looking forward to his visit to China to discuss the strengthening of exchanges and cooperation, jointly combating the financial crisis, and boosting bilateral ties.

Aso also spelled out Japan's stance on the DPRK's recent rocket launch.

On the issue, Wen stressed that the maintenance of peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in northeast Asia is in the common interest of all related parties, including China and Japan.

The UN Security Council is discussing the issue, over which all parties have voiced concern, Wen said.

China suggested that the issue be dealt with out of the consideration for the maintenance of peace and stability in northeast Asia and for pushing forward the six-party talks and the denuclearization process of the Korean Peninsula, Wen said.

The UN Security Council's reaction was moderate and proper, and hopefully all parties will maintain a sober restraint and work together to draw an appropriate conclusion to the matter, Wen said.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also expounded on China's principle stance on the DPRK's rocket launch during an exchange of views with Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone.