WUXI, Jiangsu Province: Former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke yesterday urged the new Japanese leader not to visit the Yasukuni Shrine so as to bring stability to the Asia-Pacific region.

Shinzo Abe was elected president of Japan's ruling party by an overwhelming majority yesterday, setting the stage for his election as prime minister next week.

Mr. Hawke said Sino-Japanese relations, cross-Straits ties and nuclear issues on the Korean Peninsula were three major factors influencing stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

He made the remarks on the sidelines of the International Co-operation Summit for Asia-Pacific CEOs & Provincial Governors and Mayors, which was held in the city of Wuxi yesterday.

Hawke, a frequent visitor to China, said that Chinese leadership wants an "amicable and constructive" relationship with Japan.

Abe should avoid following in the footsteps of his predecessor Junichiro Koizumi and not visit the shrine, said Hawke, who served as Australian Prime Minister from 1983-1991.

On cross-Straits relations, Hawke said that the Taiwan economy is becoming increasingly integrated with that of mainland.

He believed that economic forces and power would not tolerate the island's political intention of separating Taiwan from the Chinese mainland.

Benjamin Arthur Gilman, former Chairman of the Committee on International Relations of US House of Representatives, said yesterday that China is playing an increasing role in international affairs.

He cited China's decision to send 1,000 peacekeeping troops to Lebanon as an example.

He said that China and the US should make joint efforts to bring peace and stability to the Asia-Pacific region.

It is natural for the two countries to have some disputes, but more importantly, the two big powers should "sit down and work together" to exchange views and find solutions to problems, such as the Six-Party Talks and Iranian nuclear issues, he told China Daily yesterday.

Source: China Daily