China: Fukuda is welcome to Beijing

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Source: CCTV.com | 11-16-2007 13:53

Liu Jianchao, Spokesman of Chinese Foreign Ministry.

We start with China and Japan. They failed to make progress during their talks on the development of natural gas in the East China Sea.

Japan suggests its Prime Minister's visit to China might be affected by the fruitless discussions. But China says it's ready to roll out the red carpet for Yasuo Fukuda.

The 11th round of talks about natural gas in the East China Sea ended on Wednesday with no sign of progress.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao says China is ready to promote the consultations in accordance with the consensus reached between leaders of the two countries.

China aims to maintain stability in the East China Sea and will contribute to its joint development. The spokesman calls on Japan to cooperate with China to promote bilateral consultations on the issue.

Liu Jianchao also says the results of the latest round of consultations would not influence plans for a visit to China by Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda .

Liu Jianchao, Spokesman, Chinese Foreign Ministry, said, "China and Japan share broad common interests and cooperation fields, and the East China Sea issue is just one part of China-Japan relations. China attaches great importance to high-level visits between China and Japan, and we welcome Prime Minister Fukuda to visit China at an early date. We also expects that his visit will make active achievements and further promote the cooperation and the improvement and development of relations between China and Japan."

The first meeting between Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Fukuda is scheduled for next Wednesday when leaders from China, Japan and South Korea meet in Singapore.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei