国内英语新闻:New Japanese ambassador to China calls for deepening of ties

TOKYO, July 23 (Xinhua) -- New Japanese Ambassador to China Uichiro Niwa on Friday called for deepening of Sino-Japanese mutually beneficial strategic relations.

"In recent years the leaders of the two countries have created a conducive environment for the development of bilateral ties. I am very glad to see that," Niwa told Chinese press in Tokyo.

Upon his assignment to China, the Japanese ambassador said China and Japan, as close neighbors, should deal with each other for the upcoming 1,000 or 2,000 years rather than 10 or 20 years. In the long run, both countries share a lot of common interests, and a stable, friendly relationship is the ultimate goal.

The former president of Itochu Corp. said that he aimed to boost communication, strengthen economic cooperation, and build on the mutual trust between the leaders of the two countries.

Niwa also said in the age of multipolarization, no one can conduct diplomacy with knowledge of China alone. So the relations with South Korea, and the United States are also important.

Niwa was appointed by Prime Minister Naoto Kan in June to the key diplomatic post, making him the first ambassador to China from outside the government sector since the two countries normalized ties in 1972. He will leave for Beijing on July 31.