Fukuda calls for innovative Sino-Japan relations

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Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda (L) delivers a speech at the prestigious Peking University in Beijing, capital of China, on Dec. 28, 2007. Yasuo Fukuda arrived here for an official visit to China from Dec. 27 to 30. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

The Japanese Prime Minister called for an innovative strategic and mutually beneficial partnership, which includes cooperation, international contributions, and mutual trust.

Yasuo Fukuda said, "The world is watching and looking towards us. I think our future lies in not choosing cooperation or opposition, but in how to seek an effective and responsible way to cooperate with each other."

Fukuda's speech struck a chord with his audience.

A Chinese university student said, "Both China and Japan have high expectations of each other. I agree that there should be more contacts to ease mistrust."

"We should look forward instead of sticking to the past. And we should be more pragmatic and rational forge a path with East Asian Characteristics." said another student.

The Japanese Prime Minister said he's confident of the bright prospect of Sino-Japanese relationship,which has been torn by disputes. He believed an initial task is to strengthen understanding. With all the guidelines he announced in his speech, Yasuo Fukuda hoped he will be the one to open a new chapter for Sino-Japnese relations.