Japan and China vow teamwork

Japan and China vow teamwork
Countries to take on global warming.

Published Friday, December 28, 2007

BEIJING (AP) - Japan urged China to use its growing influence to make an impact on key global issues such as climate change during summit talks today that reflected the countries’ warmer ties.

The countries have a history of animosity stemming from disputes over territory, resources and wartime history, but Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda’s four-day visit comes after several friendly meetings between leaders and a Chinese warship’s historic port call to Japan.

"There has never been a time when Japan and China have had more influence or responsibilities in Asia and the world," Fukuda said at a joint news conference with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. "We face a big opportunity going forward."

"There have indeed been various problems in the relationship between Japan and China. But it is time for us to overcome these problems and push forward the development of our relationship," he said.

Wen also praised improved relations between the two countries.

"Prime Minister Fukuda said the spring has come in our relations, and after 2½ hours of talks, I truly feel that the spring of China-Japan relations has indeed arrived," Wen said.

Fukuda was to meet later today with President Hu Jintao, and Wen confirmed Hu will visit Japan next year. It will be the first such trip by a Chinese head of state since 1998.

Fukuda said Japan would send a warship to China in 2008 as part of efforts to build confidence. The visit comes after a Chinese warship’s historic port call to Japan this year.

The two sides signed an agreement to promote scientific cooperation to fight climate change. The agreement calls for Japan to invite 50 young Chinese researchers every year for the next four years to be trained to fight global warming.