Both sides need to be patient, says Japanese Premier Koizumi
Tokyo (AsiaNews/Agencies) "When China becomes more grown-up I believe it will be more cool-headed and consider our friendly ties in a broader perspective," said Japanese Prime Minister in an interview with Australia's SBS Radio Network.
His comments came in the wake of tide of violent anti-Japanese demonstrations in several Chinese cities.
In the interview, which was recorded on April 14 but released only today, Mr Koizumi repeatedly stressed "the overall relationship [between the two countries] is friendly" and "[b]oth sides must be patient", adding that it will take time before the situation can improve.
The Prime Minister also stated that "[c]onsidering our track record for the past 60 years and the role Japan can play in the future of the UN I believe Japan is rightly qualified to be a permanent member of the UN Security Council."
China's Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said yesterday that his government was able to handle anti-Japanese demonstrations which, in any event, have not involved public institutions.
Speaking before 3,500 party cadres, public officials and military personnel in the Great Hall of the People at a meeting that was broadcast by China Central Television, the minister said that "we [. . .] must express our feelings in a cool-headed, legal and orderly manner" avoiding "unapproved activities such as marches, and [. . .] activities that may undermine social stability."
However, he repeated the official position that Beijing had nothing to apologise for.
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan said he hoped the two parties will begin working out their differences in Asia-Africa summit scheduled to start in Jakarta (Indonesia) on April 21. (PB)
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