By Chong Zi and Qin Jize (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-05-08 06:29

TOKYO - President Hu Jintao and Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda on Wednesday signed a joint statement calling for the promotion of a mutually beneficial strategic relationship between China and Japan.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) and Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda shake hands as they exchange signed documents during a signing ceremony at Fukuda's official residence in Tokyo May 7, 2008. [Agencies]

This is the fourth landmark paper the two countries have inked on defining their ties since the normalization of diplomatic relations in 1972.

"The document will serve as a new guideline for bilateral relations," Hu said at a joint press conference with Fukuda.

The two leaders agreed the China-Japan relationship is very important for both sides.

"The two sides confirmed they are partners of cooperation and will not be a threat to each other," the statement said.

To bolster trust, the leaders will visit each other's nation every year.

On the Taiwan question, Japan reiterated that it maintains the stance outlined in past Japan-China joint statements.

China will "place importance on Japan's position and role" in the United Nations and hopes Japan will play a constructive role in international affairs, the statement said.

China and Japan signed a Joint Communiqu in 1972, the Treaty of Peace and Friendship in 1978, and the China-Japan Joint Declaration in 1998.

Liu Jiangyong, a professor of international relations with Tsinghua University, said: "The fourth important bilateral document will help keep China-Japan relations on track in the future."

The two countries also signed a series of other documents, including one on cooperation on climate change.

In that, China pledged to work with other countries to study measures to realize the ultimate goal of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

"Japan has cutting-edge environmental and energy-saving technologies," Hu said. "The two countries have a bright future for cooperation in this field."

He invited businesspeople and nongovernmental organizations to join the governments in this regard.

When Fukuda visited China last year, he promised Japan would set up environmental information facilities in China to share its expertise on environmental technologies, and provide training programs for 10,000 Chinese over three years.

Japanese Emperor Akihito welcomed Hu at a grand ceremony before his summit with Fukuda.