Senior Chinese Military Officer Meets Japanese Guests

Fu Quanyou, chief of the general staff of Chinese People's Liberation Army, said Friday China hopes to push forward friendly cooperation with Japan in the 21st century.

Fu, who is also a member of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks at a meeting today with Takegouchi Shoji, chief of the air self-defense force of Japan and his party.

He said that the Chinese government and leaders attach great importance to China-Japan friendship, which faces new development opportunities at the turn of the century.

Fu said that he hopes the two countries will join efforts to properly handle the problems between them and maintain the overall situation in China-Japan relations.

He said that "peaceful reunification, one country and two systems" remains to be the basic principle of the Chinese government to solve the Taiwan issue.

"We will never allow Taiwan to be separated from the motherland," Fu stressed.

Fu also briefed the guests on China's defense policy, military building and domestic situation.

Takegouchi said that the military exchange between the two countries has been growing rapidly in recent years.

He noted that Japan and China share common interests in maintaining the regional peace and stability, adding that he hopes the exchange and cooperation between the two militaries will be furthered.



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