Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in Beijing on Wednesday that he
hoped to make the East China Sea "a sea of peace, friendship and
cooperation."
Wen made the remarks in response to a question on the East China
Sea issue during a joint interview with 16 Japanese news
organizations ahead of his Japan tour slated for April 11 to
13.
The East China Sea issue is of key concern to both countries,
Wen said.
To resolve this issue, he added, China had proposed the principle
of shelving disputes and making joint exploration.
"I hope the two sides can actively pursue consultation on this
issue and seek solutions accepted by both sides," he said.
China and Japan held their seventh round of talks on the East
China Sea in Tokyo late March. "These discussions are positive and
we are glad that they are taking place," the premier said.
"Getting things started is always difficult, but if we work
together, we believe a significant step can be taken towards the
peaceful solution of these disputes," Wen said.
(Xinhua News Agency April 5, 2007)
