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Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

JCP Shii holds talks with outgoing Chinese Minister

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo on February 28 met with Cheng Yonghua, outgoing Chinese Minister to Japan, at the JCP head office. They exchanged views on Japan-China relations and increasing exchanges between the JCP and the Communist Party of China.

Cheng stated, "I am glad to have had friendly exchanges with Chair Shii and other JCP friends during my tenure in Japan."

Shii thanked Cheng for attending the JCP 24th Congress last January. Referring to the JCP-CPC discussion on theoretical issues last December, Cheng said he has heard that the CPC is willing to continue this kind of discussions.

Both sides referred to Japan-China relations. On pending historical issues, including the Japanese prime minister's Yasukuni Shrine visits, Shii stated that he will make further efforts to find a reasonable resolution of the questions by invoking the power of conscience in Japan, regardless of differences of opinions on other matters.

While stressing that the Yasukuni Shrine issue is essentially a Japanese issue connected with its postwar disposition that needs to be solved independently by Japanese people, Cheng pointed out that this is also a matter affecting the unanimously agreed postwar international order enshrined in the United Nations Charter.

Shii criticized Prime Minister Koizumi for persisting in visiting Yasukuni Shrine in contravention of the basic postwar international order. Emphasizing that the historical issue concerns tens of millions of war dead, Shii stated that it must be resolved in a manner that gains the trust of the people in Asia and the rest of the world, Shii emphasized.

Referring to the JCP 24th Congress resolution, Shii stated that he is deeply interested in China's nation building efforts to achieve socialism as well as its diplomacy.
- Akahata, March 1, 2006