Provisional Translation

Foreign Minister Kono's Visit to China: Meeting with President Jiang Zemin
(Summary)

August 29, 2000
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

On the afternoon of August 29 Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono, who was visiting China, held talks with Chinese President Jiang Zemin for about one hour (from 17:30 to 18:30 Japan time). Basically the meeting took place in a harmonious atmosphere, with both sides explaining their thoughts on bilateral relations. The following is a summary of the meeting.

1. Bilateral Relations in General

At the beginning President Jiang expressed his condolences on the death of former Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi and asked that his best wishes be relayed to Mrs. Obuchi. Foreign Minister Kono expressed gratitude, on behalf of the Obuchi family and the Japanese nation, to China for sending Vice Premier Qian Qichen to attend former Prime Minister Obuchi's funeral. Regarding current bilateral relations between Japan and China, Foreign Minister Kono said that bilateral relations have developed since the normalization of diplomatic ties and that they were basically in good shape today, too. However, he said, this does not mean that there are no problems. While solving these problems in a timely manner, he said, it is necessary to promote exchange so as to further develop the relationship. Lifting of the ban on group tours from China to Japan is one example of exchange. In a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan the day before (August 28), Foreign Minister Kono said, the two sides had agreed on the establishment of a framework for mutual prior notification regarding marine research. The aim of this agreement, Foreign Minister Kono said, was to facilitate relations of trust. Japan places importance on the upcoming visit to Japan by Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, he stated.
   In response, President Jiang said that Premier Zhu's visit to Japan was important and would definitely contribute to promoting bilateral relations between Japan and China. Regarding the bilateral relationship, he said, looking at history until now and the future, Japan is an economic power and China is the largest developing country, so it is possible for them to complement each other. Therefore, he said, there is no reason why bilateral relations should not develop in the twenty-first century. They will definitely move in a wonderful direction, he said; that is the overall picture. Even if a problem does arise, he said, it can be settled in a spirit of mutual understanding and friendship. The point is to maintain the overall picture, he said. President Jiang said that he was optimistic about the future of Japan-China relations. The policy of good neighborliness and friendship is unchangeable, he said, and there is absolutely no need to change it.

2. Japanese crested Ibis

Mentioning that he had been president of Japanese Society for Preservation of Birds, Foreign Minister Kono expressed his gratitude to President Jiang for bringing a pair of crested ibis to Japan. The ibis had given birth to three chicks, he reported. He commented that there are now about 200 ibis in Yangxian County, Shaanxi Province, in China, the habitat of the bird. They had laid 40 eggs this year, but because of the lack of a breeding center, 20 eggs had been wasted. Foreign Minister Kono inquired whether Japan could offer any kind of support for the building of a breeding center. [Note: From now on this matter will be studied at the working level between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries.]

3. U.N. Millennium Summit

Foreign Minister Kono said that Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori was scheduled to attend the U.N. Millennium Summit and was looking forward to meeting President Jiang on that occasion. President Jiang replied that he was looking forward to meeting Prime Minister Mori in New York.