Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan met in Beijing Monday with
visiting former Japanese director-general of Defense Agency Nukaga
Fukushiro, vowing to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation.
"China has always kept an active attitude towards developing
relations between the two defense departments," said Cao, also vice
chairman of the Central Military Commission and State
Councilor.
He said the Chinese side is ready to strengthen security
dialogue and exchanges with Japan, in accordance with the consensus
reached between the leaders of both countries, to enhance mutual
trust and further promote bilateral defense cooperation.
Cao also briefed Nukaga on China's defense policy and position
on the Taiwan issue, saying China's defense policy is defensive in
nature.
Nukaga, member of the House of Representatives, said he believed
the two countries should enhance dialogue and exchanges in defense
and other fields, which will be conducive to a health development
of bilateral relations.
He noted that the Japanese government has always supported the
one-China policy.
Also on Monday, Nukaga met with Sheng Huaren, vice chairman of
the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's
top legislative body, and Wang Jiarui, head of the International
Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of
China, respectively.
Wang called on the parties of both countries to make joint
efforts to inject new energy into the China-Japan relations.
Nukaga told Wang that the Japanese side will continue to make
unremitting efforts for the healthy and steady development of
Japan-China relations.
Nukaga is here as guest of China Institute for International
Strategic Studies.
(Xinhua News Agency February 13, 2007)
