国内英语新闻：Chinese, Japanese FMs hold talks on bilateral ties

TOKYO, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, who is on an official visit to Japan, held talks with his Japanese counterpart Masahiko Komura here Thursday.

    The two sides spoke positively of the China-Japan relations, and agreed to make joint efforts to ensure the upcoming state visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao to Japan a complete success.

Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura(R) shakes hands with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi before their meeting in Tokyo, Japan, on April 17, 2008. Yang arrived Thursday in Tokyo for a four-day visit.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, Yang noted.

    The relationship between the two countries stands at a new turning point in history and faces crucial opportunities for further development, he said.

    The Chinese foreign minister said that China would like to join hands with Japan to seize the opportunity to deepen cooperation, expand communication, deal with issues of mutual concern in proper ways, and keep pushing bilateral ties to new stages.

    With regard to President Hu's scheduled visit to Japan, Yang said that through this historic visit, China hopes to make joint efforts with Japan to map out the future from a strategic height and a long-term perspective, and to reach consensus on building strategic mutual trust, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation, and strengthening communication and coordination on world and regional affairs, and to bring bilateral relations on the track of long-term, healthy and stable development.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi speaks during a joint press conference co-hosted with Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura in Tokyo, Japan, on April 17, 2008.

Komura said the two countries have launched a series of exchanges this year, and drew attention to the obvious achievements made by both sides in diplomatic affairs, security, culture, and youth dialogue and communication.

    Japan hopes to continue high-level contacts with China and strengthen dialogue and cooperation in areas such as environmental protection, energy conservation, agriculture and intellectual property rights, he said.

    The Japanese foreign minister also said his country looks forward to President Hu's upcoming state visit, which is crucial for building a strategic relationship of mutual benefit.

    The Japanese side would like to cooperate with China to ensure the success of the visit, Komura said.

    He also wished the Beijing Olympics great success, for which Yang expressed his gratitude.