Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and his Japanese counterpart Yohei Kono both gave a high evaluation over bilateral economic and trade cooperation in recent years, sharing the view that cooperation in this aspect has witnessed steady progress.

During talks with Kono Monday afternoon, Tang stressed both countries should further explore new ideas and means of cooperation in a bid to bring economic and trade cooperation up to a new level.

They also exchanged views on cooperation in the fields of information technology, environmental protection, China's strategic development of its western area, and the fight against trans-national organized crimes, and in the end reaching a broad consensus.

(People's Daily 08/29/2000)