Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji said on March 15 that his planned visit to Japan within this year has nothing to do with the Group of Eight Countries (G-8) meeting.

     He made the remark at a press conference shortly after the conclusion of the Third Session of the Ninth National People's Congress (NPC) this afternoon.

     Zhu said that the development of Sino-Japanese relations has witnessed sound progress. He himself and Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi have met for several times and developed very good relations.

     The Chinese premier said Obuchi has invited him to visit Japan for a number of times and he plans to visit the east Asian nation within this year.

     As for the G-8, Zhu noted that China has repeatedly made clear that it has no intention to join the organization. As usual, he added, China will stay in touch with it.