Chinese VP meets Japanese Emperor, political party chiefs

• Source: Xinhua
• [11:36 December 16 2009]
• Comments

Japanese Emperor Akihito(L) meets with visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 15, 2009. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping on Tuesday met Japanese Emperor Akihito, parliament leaders, political party chiefs and representatives of China-Japan friendship groups to enhance ties with the country.

"A main purpose of my visit is to meet Japanese government and political party personnel to further promote understanding and cooperation," said Xi.

Current China-Japan relations are on a healthy track, and the Chinese government and leaders attach great significance to this relationship, Xi said during the meetings.

Xi praised the role Japanese political parties had played in boosting China-Japan relations, saying inter-party communication mechanisms should be continued and further promoted.

Sadakazu Tanigaki, president of the main opposition Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), said Chinese President Hu Jintao reached important consensus with then Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukudato develop strategic and mutually beneficial relations during a visit to Japan last year. Although the LDP is no longer in power, it would continue to work to promote Japan-China ties, he said.