China, Japan look to economic cooperation for better ties

Chinese Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng urged Japanese commerce department on Saturday to work together with its Chinese counterpart to stabilize, consolidate and promote bilateral trade cooperation following the two countries' agreement to improve relations.

Gao made the remarks when meeting with Japanese Trade and Industry Minister Yoichi Miyazawa, who was attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meeting in Beijing. [Special coverage]

Noting that trade and business between China and Japan have been affected by strained bilateral relations in the past few years, Gao said he hopes Japan can follow Friday's four-point agreement between the two countries and improve bilateral ties with actual actions.

Commerce departments from the two countries should work to help push the bilateral relations back to a normal track, he said.

Gao said the two countries' commerce departments should work together to promote exchanges between businesses and local governments and encourage them to form partnership, he said.

The two sides should invest in major development programs and expand two-way trade and investment, he said.

He said China welcomes foreign investors including Japanese companies and hopes that Chinese investment be facilitated in Japan.

China will continue protecting legal rights and interests of foreign companies and work to create a fair, open and transparent business environment for them, Gao said.

Miyazawa told Gao that Japan considers Friday's four-point agreement a chance to improve and advance bilateral relations.

Japan expects the two commerce departments to improve exchanges and coordination, resume communication mechanisms as early as possible and pick up cooperation in eco-friendly business, logistics and protection of intellectual property rights, he said.

The two also discussed the negotiations of the Free Trade Agreement among China, Japan and the Republic of Korea as well as other matters.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also met with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida on Saturday.