Shortly before his official visit to Japan, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao gave a joint interview at Ziguangge, Zhongnanhai in Beijing, headquarters of the Chinese Central Government, on April 4 to resident reporters of 16 Japanese news agencies, including The Nikkei, Asahi Shimbun, Yomiuri Shimbun, Kyodo News and NHK. The following is a complete transcript of the interview:

Wen Jiabao: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Before I start my visit to Japan, I am very happy to give you this interview. I am keenly aware of the importance of this visit and I have a sense of mission. China-Japan relations are now at a crucial stage. We should work together to advance our relations. I also hope that the press of both countries will step up efforts to promote China-Japan ties. I am happy to answer your questions. Question: Thank you very much, Premier Wen, for taking time out of your busy schedule today to give us this interview. What is your impression of Japan, and what is your expectation of this visit? What message do you wish to convey to the Japanese leaders and people during the visit?

Wen Jiabao: I look forward to a successful visit and a true "ice-thawing" journey. I look forward to reaching agreement with Japanese leaders on major issues concerning China-Japan relations and advancing our relations. I also look forward to meeting the Japanese people so as to learn more about Japan, and let the Japanese people learn more about China. This will enhance our mutual trust and friendship.

I visited Japan 15 years ago, also at a time when Sakura was in full blossom. I saw a prosperous and developed Japan, and I was impressed by the industrious and talented Japanese people and their innovative drive and entrepreneurship. But I have learned more about Japan from history. The friendly exchanges between China and Japan date back over 2,000 years. The scale, scope and influence of such exchanges are seldom seen in the world. However, in modern history, there was a unfortunate period of 50 years in China-Japan relations. The Japanese militarists waged a war of aggression against China, inflicting immense sufferings on the Chinese people and also causing great misery to the Japanese people. We should take history as a mirror and draw lessons from the past. This will enable us to focus on the future and chart a new course in promoting the friendly cooperation between China and Japan.

I wish to convey the following message to the Japanese leaders and people during the visit: To strengthen China-Japan friendship and cooperation is the call of the times and it meets the desire of our peoples. The Chinese people hope to work with the Japanese people, hand in hand, to improve and grow China's relations with Japan.

Q: You said that Prime Minister Abe's visit to China was an "ice-breaking visit," and your visit to Japan will be an "ice-thawing" journey. What do you think should be done to ensure continued and steady growth of China-Japan relations? What will be the focus of the joint document to be issued by the two sides? Will you invite Prime Minister Abe to visit China? Is President Hu Jintao going to visit Japan this year?

A: The three political documents between China and Japan are the foundation for the continuous and steady growth of China-Japan relations. These three documents are the cornerstone of China-Japan relations because they settled the past China-Japan relations politically, legally and as a matter of reality and set the future direction for our relations. As long as the three documents are abided by in both letter and spirit, China-Japan relations will continue to grow steadily.

During my visit, the two sides will issue a joint document. The document will give expression to the desire of the two countries to build a strategic relationship of mutual benefit, define this relationship and set the goals to be achieved. It will be a significant step marking a new stage in China-Japan relations. The following principles should be followed in building China-Japan strategic relations of mutual benefit:

To enhance mutual trust and honor commitment; uphold larger interests and expand common ground while shelving differences; equality, mutual benefit and common development; be forward looking and strengthen exchanges; maintain close consultation to meet challenges.

We appreciate the fact that Prime Minister Abe came to China during his first overseas visit after taking office. But his visit to China was too short and he didn't have time to travel outside Beijing. When I meet him this time, I will invite him to visit China this year, and I will suggest that he also visit other parts of China to get a full picture of my country. The Japanese leaders have invited President Hu Jintao to visit Japan on many occasions. I believe President Hu will pay a visit to Japan at a mutually convenient time.

Q: This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Lugouqiao Incident. It is a sensitive year involving historical issues. Should the Yasukuni Shrine and historical issues heat up again, what impact would they cause to China-Japan relations? If Prime Minister Abe visits the Yasukuni Shrine, how would the Chinese Government react to it?

A: As we all know, in the past few years, the Japanese leader paid many visits to the Yasukuni Shrine where Class A war criminals of World War II are enshrined. This was highly offensive to the Chinese people and damaged the relations between the two countries. This should not have happened. We hope that there will be no such visit again. This year is the 35th anniversary of normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations and the 70th anniversary of the Lugouqiao Incident. China-Japan relations face both opportunities of growth and challenges. Both China and Japan should view and handle their relations from a long-term and strategic perspective. I hope that the Japanese side will stop doing things that are offensive to the Chinese people.

Thanks to the joint efforts of both governments, Prime Minister Abe was able to visit China last year, and we reached agreement on overcoming the political obstacles to the bilateral ties. Confucius, the ancient Chinese sage, said that "one should value credibility in interactions with others" and "one should honor commitment made to friends." There is also a popular Japanese saying to the effect that "one cannot establish oneself without credibility." I hope that Prime Minister Abe will cherish the larger interests of China-Japan relations, seize this rare opportunity for improvement of our relations, honor his commitment and continue to work for smooth progress in our relations.

Q: What do you think should be done to resolve the issue of the oil and gas field in the East China Sea? Will China consider a new plan for joint development? Political resolve is needed for settling this issue. How can a breakthrough be made?

A: The East China Sea is an important issue that concerns the interests of both China and Japan. It is a matter of keen concern to both countries. In order to settle this issue, we have put forward the principle of "shelving differences and seeking joint development." I hope that both countries will work actively to advance the consultation process and find a solution acceptable to both sides. China and Japan have just concluded a new round of consultations on the East China Sea. We are glad that the consultations were conducted in a positive spirit. As the saying goes, "All beginnings are hard." But we believe that as long as the two sides work together and enhance consultation, we can make substantive progress toward reaching a peaceful settlement of differences and make the East China Sea a "sea of peace, friendship and cooperation."

Q: When will Japan-China economic ministers' meeting be held and in what form? In what areas does China hope to strengthen economic exchanges with Japan?

A: Economic cooperation will be high on the agenda of discussion during my visit to Japan. Both Prime Minister Abe and I have agreed to establish a high-level economic dialogue mechanism. It is an important measure to build the strategic relations of mutual benefit from the economic angle, and will improve upon the current bilateral cooperation mechanism. During my visit to Japan, Prime Minister Abe and I will chair the inaugural meeting of the high-level economic dialogue and decide on our respective lead agency as well as the time, venue and agenda of the first meeting.

China and Japan are close neighbors facing each other across a narrow strip of water. We enjoy geographical proximity, our economies have much to offer each other, and there is huge potential for boosting our economic and trade ties. China-Japan trade relations have registered rapid growth since the normalization of diplomatic ties 35 years ago. Our trade rose to US$207.4 billion in 2006 from US$1.1 billion in 1972, increasing by nearly 200 times. Japan's investment projects in China have exceeded 30,000, with a total volume of US$58 billion. Close to 5 million visits were made between the two countries last year. To enhance China-Japan trade ties serves the shared interests of our peoples.

We will decide on the mechanism and set the goal for strengthening economic cooperation and trade through high-level dialogue. We both face challenges of globalization, and it is critically important for our two countries to increase cooperation. In particular, we should strengthen cooperation in energy conservation, environmental protection, high and new technologies, finance and information sectors and between small and medium enterprises. China follows an opening-up policy, and we welcome economic cooperation and trade with Japan. We are ready to strengthen such cooperation as long as it is based on equality and mutual benefit. China and Japan should also take full advantage of such multilateral mechanisms as the World Trade Organization, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Plus Three and East Asia Summit, maintain close cooperation and consultation, jointly meet global energy and climate change challenges and promote the establishment of a fair and equitable multilateral trade mechanism.

Q: The sixth round of the six-party talks ended without progress. How in your view will the Korean nuclear issue evolve? What new steps will China take? When will the foreign ministers' meeting of the six parties be held? Will China assist in resolving the issue of North Korea's abduction of Japanese nationals?

A: During the sixth round of the six-party talks, the parties held discussions on specific measures for the implementation of the initial actions stage of the September 19 Joint Statement and plans of action for the next stage and increased mutual understanding. All the parties reaffirmed that they will honor their respective commitments made in the Joint Statement. The Korean Peninsula issue directly concerns the security and stability of Northeast Asia. The six-party talks aim to realize denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, promote normalization of relations between the parties concerned and ensure lasting peace and stability of the region. This is the call of the times, and this process will not stop.

China's position on resolving the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula is consistent and clear-cut. We call for building consensus through consultation and dialogue and resolving the issue through peaceful means. China is committed to the six-party talks, both now and in the future. We will further step up dialogue and cooperation with other parties to advance the talks. The six-party talks have gone through a long and difficult course and there is now hope in sight. As long as we persist with dialogue, keep talking to each other and maintain close consultation, we will be able to find a solution. Regarding the humanitarian concerns of the Japanese people on the abduction issue, we have all along expressed our understanding and sympathy and offered to provide assistance as necessary for resolving the issue. We have noted that Japan and North Korea have started consultations on normalizing their relations. This is conducive to resolving the abduction issue.

Q: On security guarantee and military relations, how should Japan and China build mutual trust by developing defense exchanges and increasing transparency of the defense budget?

A: China is committed to peaceful development. This is determined by China's national conditions, its cultural tradition and the nature of its system. China's development will not affect or threaten any country. China is still a developing country. It does not seek hegemony. China has a long way to go before it can become a developed country. It will never seek hegemony even when it is developed. For a big country with a population of 1.3 billion, China's defense expenditure, in terms of either size or proportion, is not high. It is lower than that of many developed countries and even many developing countries. Let me make it perfectly clear: China's limited military capabilities are solely for upholding its security and national unity.

China was subjected to bullying by imperialist powers in its modern history, and it knows too well that war can only bring untold suffering to a country and its people. That is why China pursues peaceful development and a defense policy that is defensive in nature. China's commitment is sincere and beyond any doubt. 
China and Japan are countries of significant influence in both Northeast Asia and the world. China is ready to increase military exchanges as well as defense and security dialogue with Japan to increase mutual understanding, ease misunderstanding and prevent conflict. We should work together to uphold peace and development in Northeast Asia and beyond.

Q: You must be very busy with government affairs. How do you spend your spare time? What is your hobby?

A: You can imagine how busy I am as premier of a country with a population of 1.3 billion. I have little time of my own, which is therefore precious to me. I spend much of my spare time reading and thinking. I also write letters to the people and my friends. I enjoy writing letters to workers, farmers, scientists, writers, artists, teachers and students. I have a happy family of four generations. I have great affection for my grandchildren. What I like most is to have some time with them, reading picture books, telling stories and playing table tennis with them. I liked sports when I was young. I played basketball and baseball. I wish to play baseball with university students in Kyoto when I visit the campus.

In conclusion, please convey my warm regards and best wishes to the Japanese people. I look forward to visiting Japan. Thank you. 
Reporters: Thank you, Premier Wen. We wish you a successful visit to Japan.

(China.org.cn)