Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi told reporters in Tokyo on November 28 as saying that it should be the time of China's commencement from Japan's official development assistance (ODA). This remark indicates that Japan will put an end of its ODA for China in the near future.

Koizumi flied to Vientiane, capital of Laos, on the night of November 28 (Japan time) to attend the summit between ASEAN and China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) held there. Talking about Japan's ODA to China, he said that China's economy is developing well and he hoped China could graduate in terms of ODA at an early date.

Japan's ODA to China started in 1979 and Japan has been largest donor for China. However, since the 1990s, Japan started all-round adjustment in its policy on ODA. In 2000, Japan axed the amount to China and cancelled the preferential means of capital transfer to China.

Voices are louder and louder in Japan to stop ODA to China. A report this month by the House of Councilors claimed again that there is no necessity to continue economic aid to China and Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura also made clear later the consideration of canceling ODA to China.

By People's Daily Online