Chinese and Japanese trade unions and workers should strengthen exchange and cooperation so as to promote the healthy development of relations between the two countries, Wang Zhaoguo, Chinese trade union chief, said in Beijing on Wednesday.

 

During his meeting with visiting Japanese Trade Union Confederation (JTUC) President Takagi Tsuyoshi, Wang, president of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU), said that it is of "great significance" to strengthening this kind of exchange and cooperation since Sino-Japanese relations are faced with difficulties.

 

Wang, also vice chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC) and member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that it is in the fundamental interests of trade unions and workers of both countries to consolidate and develop friendly relations between Sino-Japanese trade unions, and promote the exchange and cooperation between trade unions and workers.

 

Takagi echoed Wang's views, saying that the JTUC is willing to strengthen friendly exchange and cooperation with the ACFTU.

 

Established in 1989, the JTUC, with eight million members, is the largest labor organization in Japan.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 8, 2006)