China/Japan

Hu says Japan visit a success

Article published on the 2008-05-10 Latest update 2008-05-10 09:18 TU

Hu Jintao (left) meets Yasuo Fukuda, 7 May 2008.
(Photo: Reuters)

Chinese President Hu Jintao said that his visit to Japan has been "harmonious and successful",while Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda described Hu as "sincere". During the second-ever visit by a Chinese president to Japan, Hu has faced protests over China's Tibet policy but has tried to calm tensions arising from Japan's behaviour in east Asia during the first half of the 20th century.

With opponents of his policy in Tibet protesting outside, Hu today visited the 1,300-year-old Horyuji Temple, the world's oldest surviving wooden structure which was built by a Chinese monk. He went on to the headquarters of electronics-maker Matsushita before heading for home.

Hu has struck a conciliatory note, unlike President Jiang Zemin who in  1998 criticised Japanese leaders for not being sufficiently apologetic about brutality during the occupation of China in the 1930s and 1940s.

China broke off high-level dialogue with Japan during the 2001-2006 premiership of Junichiro Koizumi, citing his visits to the Yazukuni shrine to Japan's war dead, including war criminals.

RFI's Tokyo correspondent Julian Ryall says that the visit has gone better than expected, although the most important sources of disagreement have not yet been addressed.

 On Wednesday, the two leaders agreed to start regular summits but have not resolved disputes such as rights over gas fields in the East China Sea.

Fukuda said that he raised "international concerns" over Tibet but also promised cooperation for the success of the upcoming Beijing elections.