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TOKYO: President Hu Jintao arrived in Japan on Tuesday for the first
visit here by a Chinese head of state in 10 years, as Asia’s two
largest economies try to mend fences after decades of friction.
Just three years after relations hit rock
bottom, Hu has said his trip would herald a “warm spring” with
Japan, which has become a top commercial partner despite the
lingering resentments of many Chinese for its past aggression.
It is Hu’s first trip abroad since unrest
broke out in Tibet in March. Pro-Tibet groups and other critics of
Beijing have called for demonstrations here, leading Japan to
deploy thousands of police to guard the Chinese leader.
The highway leading to Tokyo’s Haneda airport
was temporarily sealed off as Hu landed on his special Air China
plane.
Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura
personally welcomed Hu, who smiled and waved as more than 200
Chinese people chanted “Welcome! Welcome!” and offered him
bouquets of flowers.
“Japan and China are both important
countries in Asia and the world,” Hu said in a statement issued on
arrival. “This will enhance friendship and cooperation in both
countries.”
The visit is expected to be largely about
symbolism, with Hu slated to show his hand at ping-pong and tour
historic temples. The two countries failed to resolve a heated
territorial dispute over gas fields in time for the summit.
The five-day visit will be Hu’s longest trip
to a single foreign country since he took power in 2003 and only the
second ever by a Chinese head of state to Japan.
In a sharp contrast to previous summits between
Japan and China, both sides have signaled that emotionally charged
rows over history will be left on the back burner.
“I sincerely hope the people of the two
countries can maintain friendship generation after generation and
create a brighter future for the Sino-Japan friendship,” Hu said
in a written message to a Japanese-language magazine.
Addressing a populist concern, Hu promised to
consider finding a replacement for the Tokyo zoo’s beloved panda
Ling Ling, who died last week.
-- AFP
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