The only correct choice in the fundamental interests of China and Japan is to promote mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation and seek common development, said Chinese experts on the Sino-Japanese relations Saturday.

Since China and Japan normalized diplomatic relations in 1972, the bilateral economic and trade relations have maintained growth momentum in general on a mutually beneficial basis, which has boosted the all-round development of China-Japan relations, the experts said.

It is one of China's fundamental policies to open to the outside world, said the experts, adding that China and Japan are economically interdependent and complementing each other in seeking common development.

As a major developing country, China needs a favorable external environment to promote friendly ties with other countries, particularly in economic cooperation. Japan is the world's second largest economic power following the United States, with advantages both in funds and technologies.

Through decades of development, Japan has become China's third largest trade partner and third largest source of foreign funds, as well as a major source of imported technologies, the experts said.

Meanwhile, China's huge market, abundant labor force and talent resources have helped revive Japan's economic growth.  

Japan's exports to China have kept increasing sharply in recent years. The trade volume between the two countries exceeded 100 billion US dollars in 2002, and topped 160 billion US dollars in 2004.

Fast growth of bilateral trade and economic ties has boosted the two countries' economies and stimulated comprehensive cooperation in other fields, such as science and technology, education and tourism.

However, recently Japan's erroneous words and deeds concerning history and other issues deeply hurt the national feelings of the Chinese people and aroused their strong displeasure.  

Some people among the general public in China called for "boycotting Japanese goods" out of indignation, which is understandable but improper. Such a move would harm the interests of both sides and affect China's strategy of opening to the outside world, the experts said.

Mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation constitutes a cornerstone of the political relations of the two countries, and stable and healthy political relations are in turn important conditions for promoting economic and trade cooperation. 

The experts pointed out that it was recent Japanese moves on the issues of history and Taiwan deviating from Japan��s commitments that have plunged Sino-Japanese relations into difficulties.

The Japanese government should seriously and prudently handle the issues and contradictions affecting the smooth development of bilateral ties, and honor its commitments through deeds.

With increasing economic globalization, it is more necessary to strengthen China-Japan economic and trade cooperation. The two countries should coordinate with each other in solving disputes and contribute to the regional and world economic prosperity, the experts said.

The peoples of the two countries should cherish the friendly relations and try hard to ensure stable and healthy growth of relations between the two countries, they said.

Source: Xinhua