JCP Fuwa talks with Chinese Ambassador Chen Jian

Japanese Communist Party Central Committee Chair Fuwa Tetsuzo received Chinese Ambassador to Japan Chen Jian at the JCP head office on June 5. Chen Jian is expected to leave Tokyo after his three year term as ambassador.

Citing the relationship between the JCP and the Communist Party of China as being improved in many ways, both Fuwa and Chen expressed their gratitude to each other for the cooperation they have extended to each other.

Fuwa said that what Ambassador Chen gained during his tenure in Tokyo will effectively contribute to his future duties and to the further development of Japan-China relations.

Referring to recent developments in Japan's Asia policy, Chen expressed concerns about the U.S. Bush administration's increasing interference with China over the Taiwan question and about Japan's moves toward a revision of the Japanese Constitution.

Commenting on the Koizumi Cabinet's foreign policy, Fuwa said that Japan's postwar policy toward China and other Asian nations has been carried out under the direction of the U.S. government, which is abnormal.

Although the Japan-China relationship is one of the most important issues of concern in Asia, Japan has never used its influence on the formulation of U.S. policy toward Asia. On the contrary, Fuwa said, Japan's Asia policy has been controlled by the U.S.

Fuwa said that his visit to China in 1998 and Southeast Asian nations in 1999 made him certain that there is a major trend toward peace in Asia.

Referring to Ambassador Chen's concern about "hawkish political forces" being active in Japan, Fuwa reminded Chen that there are strong opinions among the public against them, stressing that Japan in the 21st century won't be manipulated by those "hawkish" people.

Chen Jian reiterated his hope for Japan as an Asian nation to have good relations with other Asian nations and will play a major role in the international community.

The meeting was attended by JCP International Bureau Director Nishiguchi Hikaru and Chinese Embassy's First Secretary Xiong Bo. (end)