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China hopes new Japan defense chief considers neighborly relations |
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20:23, July 05, 2007 |
China on Thursday expressed its hope that the new Japanese defense chief would "fulfil obligations for the interests of better relations" with Japan's neighbors.
Yuriko Koike formally assumed the post of defense minister on Wednesday, becoming the first Japanese female defense chief in place of Fumio Kyuma, who resigned a day earlier over remarks that could be taken to justify the use of the atom bomb by the United States in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in World War II.
"As long as he or she assumes a post, particularly a high-ranking one, in the government, he or she is expected to fulfil obligations starting from both the interests of his or her own country and interests of maintaining friendly cooperation with neighboring countries," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang.
"The Chinese and Japanese leaders have reached consensus on enhancing military exchanges between the two countries," said Qin at a regular news briefing, adding that the two sides should make joint efforts to create conditions for military exchanges and mutual trust.
During an "ice-thawing" visit to Japan by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in April, the two countries agreed in a press communique that the Chinese defense minister would visit Japan in autumn and the two militaries should carry out an exchange of warships at an early date.
Qin also stressed that the Taiwan issue should be properly handled.
"If China-Japan relations are to keep the momentum of sound development, one of the important premises is that Japan properly handles the Taiwan issue, because the Taiwan issue is concerned with the political basis of the two countries," Qin added.
Source: Xinhua
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