5.

For example, in the Japan-China Foreign Ministers Meeting held in April 2005, then Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing stated that ODA to China has played a major role in China's development and that China expresses its gratitude. Foreign Minister Li also stated that when he exchanged views with China's university students, he explained that Japan provided the largest amount of aid of any country in the world when the SARS outbreak occurred. In addition, a joint Japan-China press announcement made upon the visit to Japan by Prime Minister Wen Jiabao in April 2007 included a statement to the effect that both China and Japan share the recognition that Japanese ODA loan to China, which are scheduled to end in 2008, have played a positive role in building China's economy and in China-Japan cooperation in economic development, and that China expresses its gratitude for this assistance. The statement also indicated that Japan and China will pursue a dialogue concerning assistance to third countries in cooperation.