11th Sino-Japanese economic seminar held

The 11th Sino-Japanese Economic Seminar, hosted by People's Daily and Nihon Keizai Shimbun, was held in Changxing in Zhejiang Province on Tuesday. The seminar's theme was China's 11th Five-year Plan and Sino-Japanese Economic Cooperation.

Editor-in-chief of People's Daily, Zhang Yannong, and Nihon Keizai Shimbun President Sugita Ryoki, addressed the seminar.

In his speech, Zhang Yannong said that 2006 is the first year of the 11th Five-Year Plan, and would serve as the grand blueprint for China at this historical starting point. The period of the11th Five-year Plan is crucial for the comprehensive growth of a well-off society. It also creates new opportunities for the development of Sino-Japanese economic cooperation. To take advantage of the opportunity and cooperate effectively, broad vision and an open mind are essential. Both the Chinese and Japanese media have the responsibility to seize this opportunity and promote broader Sino-Japanese economic cooperation. It is in the fundamental interests of both countries that they do so.

Sugita Ryoki said that in its 11th Five-Year Plan, China proposes "hastening the transformation of the model of economic growth", "building momentum for environmental protection", "optimizing and upgrading the industrial structure" and "developing modern agriculture". The purpose of the seminar is to discuss the possibility of further cooperation and to deepen Japan's understanding of China's new development model.

A spokesman from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, Chong Quan, a former member of Japan's House of Representatives as well as the former Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, Toshihiro Nikai, were keynote speakers at the seminar.

Chong Quan pointed out in his speech that since the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, the two countries have made remarkable headway in economic and trade cooperation. Between January and August this year, the volume of bilateral trade increased by 11.8 percent more than in the same period last year. Sino-Japanese economic and trade cooperation is complementary and mutually beneficial. The two countries are expected to increase cooperation in the areas of energy saving and environmental protection. In the near future, they will also try to organize more exchanges and cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises.

Toshihiro Nikai recalled the long history of cultural exchange between the two countries in his speech. He stressed that the Chinese government had established several vital goals and policies in the 11th Five-Year Plan, such as to "constructing an energy-saving and environmental-friendly society" and "developing the service industry". He hopes the two countries will seize this opportunity and establish a cooperative relationship in this new field.

Mao Linsheng, the Vice Governor of Zhejiang Province, delivered a special speech.

Chinese and Japanese guests also discussed new opportunities in financial services, the possibility of cooperating in environmental protection, and achieving agricultural modernization, reaching a consensus on a number of topics.

The Executive Vice President of China Construction Bank, Zhao Lin, the Vice President of Haier Group Ltd., Yu Zida and the Chairman of Mengniu Dairy Co. Ltd., Niu Gensheng, also participated in the discussion. Leaders from Daiwa Securities Group Inc., Hitachi Ltd., Kirin Brewery Co. Ltd also delivered speeches at the seminar.

The Sino-Japanese Economic Seminar was launched in 1984 and is held every two years. It has played a positive role in deepening understanding and promoting exchange and cooperation in economic circles between China and Japan.

By People's Daily Online