China and Japan are set to discuss cooperation in areas ranging
from finance and macroeconomic policy to energy and environment
protection during high-level talks in Beijing on Saturday.
The economic dialogue was initiated by Chinese Premier Wen
Jiabao and Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda when they met for
the first time in Singapore earlier this month. The talks will
bring together ministers from both sides with portfolios covering
trade, investment, environment protection and product inspection
and quarantine.
Lu Kejian, director of the commerce ministry's Department of
Asian Affairs, said: "China and Japan enjoy broad cooperation
opportunities in this sector as China highlights energy saving and
environment protection to build an energy-saving and
environment-friendly society, while Japan is of abundant experience
and technology".
The two sides will also look at how to implement the consensus
reached in energy and environment protection as well as how to cope
with climate change.
Meanwhile, Chinese and Japanese officials are expected to
discuss macroeconomic policies such as macro control and domestic
demand.
In trade and investment, China expects to promote bilateral
cooperation in hi-tech sectors and among small- and medium-sized
enterprises.
Lu said: "There are also some issues to address." For example,
China expects Japan to elevate it to market economy status and to
remove restrictions on certain exports to China.
Imports and exports between China and Japan hit $191.9 billion
in the first 10 months this year, up 14 percent from a year
earlier. Japan is the third largest trade partner of China while
China is Japan's biggest.
(China Daily November 28, 2007)
