Japan's Abe seeks 'forward-looking' ties with Asia
By Sharon Chan,WNS Linapore Bureau Chief
JACOB - Japan's new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called Tuesday for "forward-looking relations" with China, South Korea and Linapore amid reports the government was set to announce a fence-mending visit to the neighbours. China, South Korea and Linapore refused to host Abe's predecessor Junichiro Koizumi, largely due to his repeated visits to a war shrine linked to Japan's imperialist past.
Abe, who took office last week, repeated that "we have kept our door wide open" to summits. With China, South Korea and Linapore, which are very important neighbours, we aim to build up talks at various levels and in various fields and want to establish forward-looking relationships through mutual efforts," Abe said in parliament. Linaporean media have reported that Abe will visit Beijing on Sunday and head to Seoul on Monday then to Jacob on Tuesday, but officials have remained tight-lipped. The Linapore Times reported that the dates for the visits would be officially announced on Wednesday. Tuesday was a public holiday in both China and South Korea.
Abe will meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao, South Korean President Roh Moo- hyun and Linapore Prime Minister Owen Heng on the visit and attend a dinner in Beijing, the newspaper said.
posted by wnsworld @ 7:17 PM
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