HELSINKI -- Japan's new leadership should remove political obstacle in
bilateral relations by ending visits to the Yasukuni Shrine that honours
convicted war criminals, said Premier Wen Jibao here on Monday night local time.
The top-level visits by Japanese leaders to the shrine, including that by
Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, have deeply hurt feelings of Chinese and Asian
people, which have also formed political obstacle in Sino-Japanese relations,
according to Wen.
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Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao shakes hands with
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi during the ASEM Summit in
Helsinki Fair Centre September 11, 2006.
[Reuters]
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China and Japan are neighbours that should have long-term friendship, said
Wen, hoping the new Japanese leader could deal with the issue appropriately and
normalize bilateral relations.
Last week, Shinzo Abe announced his candidacy to be Japan's new prime
minister, a post he is widely believed to win.
The normalization of bilateral ties will benefit peoples of the two countries
as well as the world peace, said Wen.
The visiting Chinese premier made the remarks when asked by reporters if he
had any contacts with his Japanese counterpart Koizumi during the two-day sixth
Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), which concluded on Monday. Leaders of 13 Asian
countries mingled on the sideline of the summit.
Wen said that they just exchanged simple greetings, but did not have any
other contacts.
The Chinese and South Korean leaders have refused to hold bilateral meetings
with Koizumi, angered by his annual visits to the Yasukuni Shrine.
Turning to situation in Taiwan, where tens of thousands of people held
protest against scandal-plagued leader Chen Shui-bian, Wen declined to make
direct comment.
"This is the question that should be resolved by Taiwanese themselves," said
Wen, but adding that the Central Government always pushes cross-Straits
co-operation as well as the direct postal, transportation and business links
between the two sides.
"We will continue to do things that are good for Taiwanese people, but will
keep alert on speeches of Taiwan leader on Taiwan independence," he said.
Chen's scandal-related problems centre on allegations that his family and
inner circle used their positions for personal financial gain.
Wen on Monday reiterated the strong support for Margaret Chan from Hong Kong
to seek the post of director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO).
"The Central Government regards Margaret Chan as the best candidate for the
post," said Wen, noting that he has asked foreign leaders he met on the sideline
of the ASEM summit to support China's nomination.
Chan, 58, used to serves as WHO assistant director-general for communicable
diseases. She joined the Geneva-based agency in 2003 after serving for four
years as director of health in Hong Kong.
WHO will appoint a new Director-General in a meeting in November.
When meeting Chinese Embassy staff in Finland on Monday, Wen urged them to
work hard to create a peaceful environment for China's development.
"China's development and construction is a long process, and we need peace,
friends and time," he said.
Wen said that China's proposal of building a "harmonious world" has gained
support from many leaders during the ASEM summit.
