Premier Wen's Asia tour to boost cooperation
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China will strengthen cooperation with the Republic of Korea (ROK), Japan, Mongolia and Myanmar through Premier Wen Jiabao's four-nation tour from May 28 to June 3, a senior Chinese official said Wednesday.
"Premier Wen's upcoming visits would be 'a journey of peace, friendship and cooperation', and are expected to boost neighborly friendship and cooperation with the four nations," Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun said at a news briefing ahead of Wen's visit.
Wen would pay official visits to the ROK, Japan, Mongolia and Myanmar from May 28 to June 3 and attend the third three-party leaders' meeting of China, the ROK and Japan on ROK's Jeju island.
He was scheduled to visit the ROK from May 28 to 29 in his first visit since the two countries forged a strategic cooperation partnership in 2008. His trip to Japan from May 30 to June 1 was also the first since Hatoyama Yukio took office as prime minister.
In the ROK, Wen would hold talks with President Lee Myung-bak and meet with Speaker of the National Assembly Kim Hyong-o and Prime Minister Chung Un Chan to exchange views on bilateral, regional and international issues, said Zhang.
Wen would also talk to people from different sectors and inspect the Seoul-based Chinese culture center.
Zhang said China hoped to speed up the establishment of the free trade area (FTA) with the ROK and increase cooperation in education, science,culture and tourism.
China also hoped to enhance communication and coordination with the ROK in international and regional affairs, Zhang said, adding trade cooperation papers would also be signed during Wen's visit.
In Japan Wen would meet with Emperor Akihito, hold talks with Hatoyama Yukio, meet with speakers of the senate and house.
Wen's contacts with the Japanese would be wide, including business people,intellectuals and members of the public, and he would give an interview with Japan's NHK, said Zhang.
"Honoring the average Japanese who contributed to China-Japan friendship and meeting with people from the cultural circles is an important and special arrangement, which will send a positive signal that the Chinese government attaches importance to the friendship among the grassroots and people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries," said Zhang.
China and Japan would sign agreements on food safety, energy conservation, environmental protection and e-commerce.
Wen's visit to Mongolia would be the first by a Chinese Premier in 16 years. On June 1 and 2, Wen would hold talks with Prime Minister Sukhbaataryn Batbold, meet with President Tsakhia Elbegdorj and Damdingiin Demberel, Chairman of State Great Hural of Mongolia.
Wen would also attend the opening ceremony of the China-Mongolia trade cooperation forum and unveil a Chinese culture center in Ulan Bator. The two sides would sign agreements of cooperation in the fields of finance, energy resources, science and technology, and infrastructure, Zhang said.
Wen's visit to Myanmar on June 2 and 3 was also the first by a Chinese premier in 16 years. He would hold talks with Prime Minister Thein Sein, meet with Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council, and other leaders.
Wen would attend celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Myanmar, and the two sides would ink documents of cooperation in the economic and trade, finance, energy resources and science and technology sectors, Zhang said.
China would offer assistance, within its capacity, particularly in transportation and education, to help Myanmar develop economy and improve people's livelihood, Zhang said.
