Chinese FM meets China-Japan friendship body on bilateral ties

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with members of a China-Japan friendship committee on bilateral relations on Monday. Yang said China-Japan relations were well supported by the new Japanese cabinet that was formed last month, and the two sides are facing opportunities to boost cooperation on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations which falls next year. Yang made the remarks when he met with the members of the third Meeting of the Fifth 21st Century Committee for China-Japan Friendship, a consultative body of the two governments, saying that the Chinese government would like to work with the Japanese government and people to promote the China-Japan strategic relationship of mutual benefit, Yang said. Yang also said the Chinese Foreign Ministry will assist and support the work of the committee, hoping it will make more contributions in promoting China-Japan relations. Taizo Nishimuro, the top Japanese member of the committee composed of diplomats, business leaders, professors and journalists, said Japanese members will take the 40th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations as an opportunity to work consistently for enhancing the Japan-China relationship.