Overview and Evaluation of Visit to Japan by
Premier Zhu Rongji of the People's Republic of China
17 October 2000
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
1. Outline of Itinerary
[Items in brackets are Official Events]
| 12 October (Thursday) |
Arrive in Tokyo |
| 13 October (Friday) |
- [Welcome Ceremony] (in Akasaka State Guesthouse) |
| 14 October (Saturday) |
- Meetings with leaders of political parties |
| 15 October (Sunday) |
- Meetings with leaders of political parties |
| 16 October (Monday) |
- Test ride on linear car train system |
| 17 October (Tuesday) |
- Tour of Kobe |
2. Overall Evaluation of the Visit
The visit to Japan of Premier Zhu was designed to cement the Japan-China Joint Declaration on Building a Partnership of Friendship and Cooperation for Peace and Development issued at the time of the 1998 visit to Japan by President Jiang Zemin. To achieve this goal, both leaders recognized the importance of promoting mutual understanding and building mutual trust between the two countries, and shared the view that both countries should establish a more cooperative bilateral relationship. Given the importance placed on relations with Japan, Premier Zhu for his part showed great efforts to promote a positive impression of China among the Japanese people, from various circles of Japanese society including ordinary citizens.
3. Major Achievements
(1) During the Summit Meetings on 13 October both sides reaffirmed that they would promote a Partnership of Friendship and Cooperation between Japan and China toward the 21st century as they engaged in a frank exchange of views across broad areas of mutual concern to both Japan and China. In particular, both sides shared the view to accelerate their work to establish a framework for mutual prior notification of scientific marine research activities as soon as possible.
(2) Regarding Official Development Assistance (ODA) to China, the Japanese side explained that ODA should be extended with the understanding and support of the Japanese people and encouraged further efforts at public relations by China to increase awareness. In response, the Chinese side appreciated highly the Japanese ODA to China and stated that it would further enhance efforts in public relations. Moreover, the Chinese side expressed gratitude for the Special Yen Loans extended on 10 October.
(3) Concerning bilateral Japan-China relations, both sides confirmed the opening of a hotline, the offering of a new crested ibis from China to Japan and holding events of "Japan Year" and "China Year" (provisional names) in 2002. Furthermore, both sides shared the view to strengthen security dialogue and defense exchanges and to realize, in particular, mutual visits of naval vessels.
(4) Regarding the understanding, Premier Zhu stated that he intended to maintain the friendship for a long time between Japan and China, on the foundation of "taking history as the mirror and looking forward to the future."
(5) Regarding regional cooperation Japan and China shared the view to cooperate under the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in order to further promote regional cooperation. It was also decided to hold the Trilateral Summit among the leaders of Japan, China and the Republic of Korea at the time of the ASEAN+3 Summit Meeting in Singapore in November, following last year's Trilateral Summit Meeting.
(6) At the Welcome Dinner, the leaders exchanged their views on the situation in the Korean Peninsula and the situation in the Middle East. In particular, both leaders welcomed the fact that the situation in the Korean Peninsula was improving toward an alleviation of tensions.
(7) Regarding the economic area, on the occasion of the Summit Meetings and at the lecture jointly sponsored by economic organizations, the Chinese side called for assistance and investment in "the great development of the West" initiative. In response, Japan has decided to dispatch a joint mission of government and private-sector experts to China sometime during the first half of next year. At the same time the Japanese side requested the Chinese side to step up its efforts in the area of the investment environment, such as the problems of non-bank debt, the regulation of steel imports, the authorization for local Japanese chambers of commerce and industry in China, and controls over imitation products. The Chinese side stated that it would undertake prompt response measures to the issue concerning licenses for Japanese insurance companies to operate in China.
(8) Premier Zhu met individually with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the House of Councillors and the leaders of Japanese political parties, and stressed that he would like to strengthen cooperation and exchanges between Japanese and Chinese parliamentarians and political parties.
(9) Premier Zhu became the first Chinese leader ever to appear on television in a dialogue with ordinary citizens. Bearing Japanese public feeling against China in mind, this idea originated from the Chinese desire to use Premier Zhu's personality to communicate directly with ordinary Japanese citizens.
(10) During his visit to local regions in Japan, Premier Zhu had opportunities to visit a robot factory and to experience a test ride on a linear car train system prototype. For his travel to Kobe Premier Zhu took the "Nozomi" Shinkansen (bullet train).
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