Wen: Japan tour 'a success'

2007-04-13 16:46

Kana Inagaki

Japan - A smiling Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao sipped Japanese green tea, played baseball with college students and declared his trip a success on Friday, wrapping up a tour aimed at warming chilled ties and drawing investment to China.

Wen, putting finishing touches on the first visit by a Chinese premier in nearly seven years, travelled to the ancient capital of Kyoto after two days in Tokyo, during which he called for improved relations between Asia's top two economies.

"Many Japanese people have said that the objective of the ice-melting trip has been achieved," Wen said before leaving for Kyoto.

However, he also said: "I cannot say all problems have been solved. We need more time."

Indeed, Wen's trip was heavy on broad statements of goodwill and atmospherics, but short on concrete solutions to the two countries' enduring conflicts over wartime history and maritime territory.

The visit followed Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's groundbreaking trip to Beijing in October, a major step by Tokyo to repair ties that had seriously deteriorated during the 2001-2006 term of his predecessor, Junichiro Koizumi.

'Flower of friendship'

Wen managed to set a relaxed, friendly tone for the talks.

Arriving in Kyoto, Wen attended a traditional Japanese tea ceremony in a parlour with the phrase "Mutual Respect" written in calligraphy on the wall.

Later he laid flowers at a memorial to late Chinese Premier Zhou En-lai in Kyoto, proclaiming him a "pioneer" in forging ties between the two nations.

"Relations between our two countries will continue to strengthen," Wen said. "I hope that soon the flower of friendship will bloom."

At Ritsumeikan University, he trotted out onto the baseball diamond wearing number 35 - for the 35th anniversary of Japan-China diplomatic relations - and pitched, hit a couple of grounders and tossed the ball around from first base.

Wen 'acknowledged' Japan's apologies

Wen planned to have dinner with business executives in the area before heading back to Beijing in the evening.

During the visit, however, the two countries' problems were never far below the surface.

Wen appeared more conciliatory than previous visiting Chinese leaders, acknowledging Japan's past apologies over the war, while urging Tokyo to turn that contrition into concrete actions.

A more contemporary spat over undersea gas and oil deposits in disputed waters in the East China Sea also dogged the trip. While Wen and Abe declared intentions to work out a solution, China's foreign ministry in Beijing asserted its exploration rights in the area.

- AP