Outline of Meeting and Luncheon with President Jiang Zemin
July 9, 1999
China and Mongolia Division
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
On July 9, Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi met with Chinese President Jiang Zemin in the Chinese leaders' compound of Zhongnanhai for around 35 minutes from 11:55 onward, subsequently also attending a luncheon hosted by the President from 12:30 to 13:55. The main exchanges over these periods of time were as follows. The meeting was conducted in a very relaxed atmosphere, with some initial exchanges in which the Prime Minister used Chinese and the President Japanese. The main participants from the Japanese side included Minister for Home Affairs Takeshi Noda, Minister for Foreign Affairs Masahiko Koumura, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Muneo Suzuki, Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Seiko Noda, and Ambassador to China Sakutaro Tanino; while participants on the Chinese side included Minister of Foreign Affairs Tang Jiaxuan, Ambassador to Japan Chen Jian, and Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi.
In the first minutes of their meeting, Prime Minister Obuchi informed President Jiang that the pair of Japanese crested ibises received from the People's Republic of China during the President's visit to Japan had produced a chick which had been named "Yu-Yu". Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Noda presented the President with the picture used for the stamp commemorating the birth, and was thanked in Japanese by the President, who expressed his pleasure at the birth of a new generation and noted that "Yu-Yu" was a fine name.
1. Japan-China relations (including history)
(A) Prime Minister Obuchi noted his pleasure at being able to visit China during the fiftieth anniversary of the foundation of the People's Republic of China, a year meriting commemoration, and offered congratulations on behalf of the Japanese Government and people in regard to this anniversary and China's development over the past half-century. He also commented on the Japan-China Joint Declaration that he and the President had produced during the President's visit to Japan the previous year, which had proved fruitful and heralded a new era for Japan-China relations. The Prime Minister stated his intention to continue steadily implementing the 33 items of cooperation which had been announced the previous year.
(B) President Jiang's response is summarized below.
(1) He welcomed the Prime Minister's visit to China, and expressed appreciation for the warm welcome he had received from the Prime Minister and the people of Japan during his visit to Japan the previous year. He also asked that his best wishes be passed on to the Emperor. As last year's visit to Japan was the first for a Chinese President, the history of Japan-China relations over this century had been reviewed and the Japan-China Joint Declaration produced. The Joint Declaration was the third important document jointly produced by Japan and China. Establishing a "partnership of friendship and cooperation for peace and development" had been a correct choice.
(2) Taking the opportunity of the Prime Minister's current visit, he hoped that both sides would affirm their common understanding and make this still stronger. It would be important to steadily realize joint activities.
(3) It was important to unfold the future using the mirror of history. The President had seen with his own eyes Japan travel down two different paths in the course of its history. Of these, the path of peace had brought prosperity to Japan, and he hoped that Japan would continue to walk this path. China placed great emphasis on its relations with Japan.
2. Greening cooperation
Having heard that President Jiang had called for action to protect China's rivers, the "mothers of life," and was engaged in a nation-wide greening movement, Prime Minister Obuchi noted that he wished to involve the people of Japan in supporting this greening movement. He therefore wanted to set up a 10 billion yen fund in Japan, encouraging Japanese citizens' groups and other bodies to engage in greening cooperation in China. President Jiang expressed his appreciation for this proposal.
3. Taiwan
President Jiang noted in regard to Taiwan that trust is a basis for the issue and that he hoped that Japan would observe the principles agreed upon by Japan and China.
(The following discussion took place over lunch.)
4. Political system
(A) In response to the Prime Minister's explanation of Japan's current domestic political situation, President Jiang commended Japan's political stability, expressing his respect for that stability and for Prime Minister Obuchi's leadership.
(B) President Jiang also provided a detailed explanation of the Chinese political system, going on to note that while he was viewed in the West as a dictator, Western systems would not function well in a country with a population of 1.2 billion. China had implemented a concentrated democratic system at the highest level of the collective leadership organization, comprising himself and the six Political Bureau Standing Committee Members. While China was accused of having no opposition parties, such parties were in fact firmly in place. China is currently placing top priority on stability.
5. Cultural exchange
Prime Minister Obuchi explained that the Shiki Theatrical Company and the Takarazuka Revue Company were scheduled to perform in China, and hoped that the President would attend the opening ceremonies.
6. Next-generation leaders
President Jiang observed that Minister of Posts and Telecommunications Noda was the youngest politician present, and noted that he too wished to foster the next generation of leaders, such as Standing Committee Member Hu Jintao. Prime Minister Obuchi responded that he would certainly like the next generation of leaders to visit Japan.
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