Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Tuesday urged Japanese business circles to further explore the potential of mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Japan.  

During a meeting with former Japanese Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto, who is heading a large business delegation to Beijing and northeast China, the Chinese premier thanked the business circles of Japan for their contributions to promoting bilateral trade and economic cooperation over the years.

Premier Wen said that the growth of a stable, long-term, good-neighborly, friendly and cooperative relationship is not only in the fundamental interests of the two countries and their people, but also conducive to regional and global peace, stability and development.

Hashimoto said the Japanese business circles place great attention on cooperation with China and will continue to contribute to the expansion of bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

Wan Jifei, chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, was among those present at the meeting.

(Xinhua News Agency April 21, 2004)