Mutual trust can boost Sino-Japan relations

Zeng Peiyan, former vice-premier and president of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges speaks at the Beijing-Tokyo Forum, July 2, 2012. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

TOKYO- Mutual trust and benefit are key elements to the development of Sino-Japan relations, said Zeng Peiyan, former vice-premier and president of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, during the Eighth Beijing-Tokyo Forum on Monday.

Zeng delivered a speech during the forum, giving four key pieces of advice on the development of Sino-Japan ties.

- First, Chinese and Japanese leaders need to keep the relations at a right direction and make the right decisions when faced with complexities and disruptions, so that the bilateral ties could move and develop toward a correct and sound course.

- Second, China and Japan could achieve win-win situation by economic cooperation. It is suggested the two countries create better conditions for bilateral trade and investment, advancing the free trade agreement (FTA) talks among China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, and moving toward setting up the Sino-Japan FTA. China and Japan should view the direct trading of two countries' currencies as an opportunity to further promote fiscal and financial cooperation.

- Third, China and Japan should promote non-governmental exchange between peoples as friendliness of the two countries, ultimately, depends on the friendship of the Chinese people and the Japanese people. People-to-people exchange plays a vital role in promoting the Sino-Japan relationship. Common cultural values between the two countries should be developed, and communication catering to the community, grassroots and teenagers should be launched, tightening the friendship between the Chinese and Japanese people.

- Fourth, China and Japan need to handle differences properly, playing down disputes and contradictions. The two countries should seek common interests and reserve differences. We should also solve problems and frictions through negotiation and conciliation. The media is a major channel for people of the two countries to understand and know each other. All media practitioners need to persist on objective, comprehensive and impartial reporting so as to guide the general public to understand and pay attention to the positive sides of the development of both countries.