President Hu Jintao meets leaders of Japan, South Korea, Chile and Australia

Source: CCTV.com | 11-19-2006 09:33

President Hu Jintao has met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo, on the sidelines of the APEC meeting. He's also been meeting with the leaders of South Korea, Chile and Australia.

Hu Jintao said ties between China and Japan are at a critical moment, and leaders of the two countries have a responsibility to steer a right direction from a strategic point of view.

The Chinese president said the two sides should maintain the good momentum of bilateral relations and push mutually beneficial cooperation to a higher level.

Hu Jintao said the Sino-Japanese relationship should be based on principles of mutual benefit, negotiation and dialogue, setting aside differences, and common development.

Shinzo Abe said his October visit to China has been acclaimed by the people of both countries and the international community, and the good momentum that followed that visit should be maintained. He also suggested the establishment of an economic ministerial meeting to facilitate economic and trade cooperation.

Both leaders agreed on the principle of a nuclear free Korean peninsula and an early resumption of Six-Party Talks to resolve the DPRK nuclear issue.

On Friday, Hu Jintao met with his South Korean counterpart Roh Moo-hyun. The two leaders reaffirmed their desire to resume the six-party talks at an early date and their commitment to achieving the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Both sides expressed hope of strengthening communication and coordination, to contribute to safeguarding peace and stability in Northeast Asia.

In talks with Australian Prime Minister John Howard, President Hu said both countries should cement their cooperation in energy, push forward talks on a China-Australia free trade agreement, and intensify consultations on international and regional issues.

John Howard also expressed his government's willingness to advance bilateral relations with China through further discussions, and expected closer cooperation in energy security, climate change and personnel exchanges.

During talks with his Chilean counterpart Michelle Bachelet, Hu said China will work with Chile to push forward partnership between their two countries. Bachelet said she is convinced that service trade and investment arrangements as part of a free trade agreement will be beneficial to both sides.

Editor:Sun Luying