Shanghai Party chief meets former prime minister of Japan

Shanghai Party Secretary Li Qiang met Fukuda Yasuo, former prime minister of Japan, and his delegation on June 23.

Li thanked Fukuda for his contribution to the friendly Sino-Japan relations. He said China and Japan are neighbors and their stable bi-lateral relations will affect the wellbeing of the people in both countries. The two countries should learn from history, abide by the four political documents and keep improving the people’s wellbeing in both countries.

Shanghai and Japan have had extensive cooperation with fruitful results. The city hopes to strengthen the people-to-people and cultural exchanges with Japan while deepening their economic cooperation.

The city also hopes to learn from Japan’s experience in urban management and promote the two countries’ cooperation in various industries, Li added.

Fukuda said the Sino-Japan relations are increasingly more important. He has attended a series of activities marking the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Sino-Japan peaceful treaties hosted by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Fudan University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University in the hope of promoting the two countries’ friendly relations.

Shanghai’s achievements of opening-up and reforms have been impressive, and Japan is willing to strengthen the cooperation in trade and cultural industries with Shanghai, Fukuda added.

Zhuge Yujie, secretary-general of the CPC Shanghai Committee; Xu Dunxin, former deputy minister of Foreign Affairs and China’s ambassador in Japan; Jiao Yang, Party secretary of Fudan University; and Jiang Sixian, Party secretary of Jiao Tong University, also attended the meeting.