The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan has decided to install a special office in April which will be responsible for economic negotiations with China and studies on economic strategies toward China, according to a report by Nikkei on Jan. 17.

Five people will work for the new office under the ministry's Asian and Oceanian Bureau which has a China department dealing with political and economic relations with China.

China has overtaken the United States as the largest trading partner of Japan. The decision of setting up the office is based on the Foreign Affairs Ministry's consideration on deepening economic cooperation with China, analyzing Chinese economy and protecting the intellectual property rights. Officials with the Economic Affairs Bureau will work with the China department.

Spending on the new office has been incorporated into the budget for 2006. The Foreign Affairs Ministry is even considering to upgrade the office into the "department" level.

By People's Daily Online