Visit to the People's Republic of China by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi
(Overview and Evaluation)

10:40:

Arrival in Beijing

Morning:

Visit to the Marco Polo Bridge, the Memorial Museum of Chinese People's Anti-Japanese War

Lunch:

Working Lunch with Premier Zhu Rhongi (at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse)

Afternoon:

Meeting with President Jiang Zemin (at Zhongnanhai)

17:00:

Departure from Beijing

(1)

Although the visit was shortened to a little over six hours from its original schedule due to the military actions by the United States and the United Kingdom, it became a substantial visit wherein meetings with Premier Zhu and President Jiang were realized. Moreover, the fact that this visit was carried out as planned despite the emergency situation was significant from the standpoint of giving the impression that Japan attaches great importance to its relations with China.

(2)

Through this visit, personal relations of mutual trust between Prime Minister Koizumi and the Chinese leaders were built. Also, the leaders reaffirmed that Japan-China relations would improve through this visit and that they would cooperate in fora such as the Shanghai meeting of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) + 3 (Japan, China and the Republic of Korea) Summit Meeting.

(a)

Prime Minister Koizumi spoke of the significance of the 30th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-China relations next year and mentioned the promotion of exchange through "Japan Year" "China Year" activities. He introduced his handwriting of the Chinese characters "zhong shu" ("wholehearted sincerity and considerateness," a term from the Analects of Confucius, or "Lun Yu") at the Memorial Museum of Chinese People's Anti-Japanese War and stated that he would like to develop the bilateral relations in the spirit of "zhong shu."

(b)

President Jiang said that although it was his first face-to-face meeting with Prime Minister Koizumi, a phase of tension between Japan and China was relaxed through today's meeting, and pointed out the importance of encouraging exchange.

(c)

After his visit to the Memorial Museum of Chinese People's Anti-Japanese War, Prime Minister Koizumi stressed that through reflection on past history, Japan has followed the path of a peaceful nation and added that he will make all-out efforts toward the further development of the Japan-China relations. In response, President Jiang remarked that the Japan-China relations has seen both good and bad times, and pointed out Prime Minister Koizumi's visit to Yasukuni Shrine and the history textbook issue in Japan as examples of the bad. He then commended the visit to the Marco Polo Bridge by Prime Minister Koizumi on his first visit to China in the capacity as Prime Minister.

(a)

Prime Minister Koizumi asserted that Japan would work resolutely with the United States and the international community to eradicate terrorism. The Chinese side remarked that the entire world shares the common understanding to oppose terrorism, while at the same time pointing out that United States military actions must have accurate objectives and must not harm innocent people. The Chinese side added that it was pleased that these points were reflected in United States President George Bush's comments of the previous day.

(b)

Prime Minister Koizumi explained that, without resorting to the use of force, Japan would pour its energies into the areas such as economic cooperation, refugee aid, medical services and transportation of materials. In response, President Jiang called the areas of cooperation explained by Prime Minister Koizumi understandable, while at the same time asking him to keep in mind the fact that the people of Asia are in a state of alert.

(a)

Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in regional economies from now on in fora such as the Shanghai APEC at the end of October and the ASEAN + 3 Summit Meeting at the beginning of November.

(b)

Regarding the issue of safeguards, Prime Minister Koizumi cited the importance of an early solution through mutual discussion. Premier Zhu stated that he also would like to resolve trade issues from a broad perspective through friendly consultation.