Foreign and Military Affairs
VP's audience with Japan emperor 'set to boost ties'
By Li Xiaokun (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-12-16 07:00
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Vice-President Xi Jinping sat down yesterday with Japanese Emperor Akihito, thanks largely to the efforts of the Tokyo government.
 Vice-President Xi Jinping is welcomed at a reception in Tokyo Tuesday. [Agencies] |
The meeting attracted controversy because it broke a decade-old palace rule that said audiences with foreign dignitaries must be scheduled at least a month in advance.
Chinese experts said the efforts of the ruling Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) will have been noted in Beijing and closer ties between the nations are likely.
China's Central Television last night showed the meeting between Xi and Akihito during its prime time news slot, carrying images of the men shaking hands inside the moated Imperial Palace prior to their 20-minute conversation.
Japan's Jiji Press quoted Xi as telling the emperor: "I am deeply grateful you have given me the opportunity to meet you, despite your tight schedule."
Xi also offered his congratulations on the 20th anniversary of the emperor's enthronement and thanked him for his compassion following the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, the agency said.
Emperor Akihito was quoted as saying: "I hope your visit this time will further enhance the relationship of understanding and friendship between the two countries."
The Imperial Household Agency initially turned down the request but Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama reportedly called on the palace to think again.
Several influential figures from the opposition Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP) attacked the DPJ for "political use of the emperor".
Hatoyama said Xi deserved special treatment because of the importance of the relationship with China.
The Japanese prime minister yesterday questioned the value of the one-month limit, saying it was not beneficial to block proposed meetings because of bureaucratic rules.
And DPJ secretary-general Ichiro Ozawa yesterday called for the resignation of a senior bureaucrat at the palace who had criticized the meeting, according to the Kyodo news agency.
Hatoyama, who took office in September, has said he wants closer ties with China and other Asian neighbors.
His stance earned a warm response from Beijing yesterday, where Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said China had noticed that "Japan prepared a lot for the visit".
Su Hao, an expert in East Asian affairs at the Beijing-based China Foreign Affairs University, said Hatoyama went out on a limb to support China.
"Though Japan's opposition party is using the chance to criticize the ruling party and the rising role of Beijing in Japan's foreign policies, the resolute stance the DPJ adhered to in the process will greatly benefit their future cooperation with Beijing.
Zheng Hao, a commentator with Hong Kong-based Phoenix TV, said the ruling DPJ did not use the emperor for political gains as much as the opposition party used him to create a political row.
Japanese writer and commentator Kato Yoshikazu told China Daily the dispute boils down to the different way people do business.
Xi is making official visits to Japan, the Republic of Korea, Cambodia and Myanmar. The tour began on Monday and will end on Tuesday.
He became the first high-ranking Chinese politician to meet the Japanese emperor since President Hu Jintao did in May 2008.
Ai Yang contributed to the story
