Fukuda calls for innovative Sino-Japan relations

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-29-2007 09:05

Fukuda's Friday schedule also included a speach at China's Peking University. He talked about the need for an innovative relationship between China and Japan, and elaborated on his understanding of the strategic and mutually beneficial partnership.

Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda delivers a speech at the prestigious Peking University in Beijing, capital of China, on Dec. 28, 2007. Yasuo Fukuda arrived here for an official visit to China from Dec. 27 to 30. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

Yasuo Fukuda reached out to young Chinese, stressing consolidating understanding and erasing mistrust.

He candidly admitted that disputes remain between the two Asian neighbors. On the sensitive wartime history issue, Fukuda said both sides should face up to it so that errors won't be repeated. And he also emphasized the need for cooperation.

Yasuo Fukuda said, "We do have problems to overcome. It's not possible to have consensus on all issues. But both sides should keep calm and to promote mutual understanding. We should tolerate differences and shift our focus to issues of mutual interests."