New Japanese PM on China 

Source: CCTV.com

10-06-2006 15:09

Japan's new Prime Minister,Shinzo Abe, has expressed his hope that ties with China will be strengthened in the future. Abe made the statement on the eve of his visit to Beijing this weekend. He said stronger links will be beneficial to regional, as well as global peace.

During a meeting of Japan's House of Representatives Budget Committee on Thursday, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Japan's relations with China and South Korea are both closely-related.

He added that Japan's economy is inseparable from these bilateral ties, and efforts should be made to build relations of trust in economic and other areas.

Abe, who took office last week, will pay an official visit to China on Sunday.

He noted that frank exchanges of views, goals and ideals are the first step in building relations of trust.

When answering a question about Japan's militaristic past, Abe admitted Japan started a war which left many scars on the people of Asia. He said leaders bore responsibility, including his grandfather, a former prime minister.

Editor:Wang Ping