World | Other World Stories
Hu and Fukuda skirt controversies in new beginning
The leaders of Japan and China called for a new era in relations at a summit yesterday, pledging to hold annual meetings, resolve an angry dispute over maritime gas deposits and not allow their bitter history to divide them.
- AP
- Published: 00:09 May 8, 2008
- Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao (left) and Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda after a joint press conference in Tokyo on Wednesday.
- Image Credit: AP
Tokyo: The leaders of Japan and China called for a new era in relations at a summit yesterday, pledging to hold annual meetings, resolve an angry dispute over maritime gas deposits and not allow their bitter history to divide them.
The carefully choreographed summit between Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and Chinese President Hu Jintao - the first visit by a Chinese president to Tokyo in a decade - was aimed at bolstering ties between the Asian giants.
The two also discussed China's contentious handling of protests in Tibet. Fukuda praised Beijing for agreeing to meet with representatives of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader. "We see the talks as a first step. We take them seriously," said Hu, adding that it was important for both sides to avoid "separatism, violence and obstructions to the success of the Olympics".
Fukuda also said he hoped for a successful Beijing Olympics, recalling the 1964 summer games in Tokyo that marked Japan's emergence on the world stage after its defeat in World War II. Fukuda, however, said he had not decided whether to attend the opening ceremony.
"The world is watching. We hope the Chinese government and people realise this and that people will be able to watch the games with pleasure," he said.
Protests that earlier dogged China's international Olympic torch relay continued as hundreds of demonstrators in Japan marched against China's policy in Tibet and thousands of riot police were mobilised to ensure Hu's safety.
Fukuda also said the countries were on the verge of a resolution of a thorny dispute over the exploitation of natural gas fields in the East China Sea. China is tapping the fields, but Japan says they should be jointly developed. "We believe a breakthrough may now be possible," he said, without giving further details. Hu and Fukuda, hoping to underscore the positive during his five-day stay, were to use pingpong and pandas to take the edge off more contentious problems.
Share this article
Related Articles
News Editor's choice
-
Anti-terror force enlisted for Haj
Aerial surveillance to complement normal security operations
-
English to stay as medium of instruction
Lack of funding of scientific research in Arab world criticised
-
Global Village opens with a revamped layout
Four gates will have themes making it easier to find specific pavilions
