BALI: During his separate meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi yesterday, Premier Wen Jiabao urged the Japanese Government to deal "appropriately" with the issue of chemical weapons left by the Japanese army at the end of their invasion of China

Both Wen and Koizumi are in the Indonesian resort of Bali to attend a meeting involving their two countries, ROK and the 10 members of the ASEAN.

Wen emphasized that the key issue for the smooth development of Sino-Japanese relations is to understand and deal with history correctly.

According to an investigation carried out by Chinese researchers, invading Japanese forces left about 2 million chemical bombs and 100 tons of poison in China.

In the latest case, abandoned chemical weapons killed one person and made 42 others ill in August in the city of Qiqihar in Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

Koizumi said the Japanese Government will adopt "sincere attitudes" and deal appropriately with the issue of the abandoned chemical weapons, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman.

Sino-Japanese bilateral relations have been consolidated and further developed this year as the two sides have hosted a series of activities to commemorate the 25th anniversary of their Treaty of Peace and Friendship, said Koizumi.

He added that Japan will continue to develop friendly and co-operative relations with China in all fields.

Yesterday, Wen also held separate meetings with ROK President Roh Moo-hyun, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

During his talk with Roh, Wen said that patience, wisdom and time are all needed to resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.

Wen emphasized a peaceful solution through negotiations is the only correct choice and this can never change, according to a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman.

Wen said it is not long since Beijing and Seoul announced the establishment of a comprehensive co-operative partnership between them. This is of great significance for strengthening bilateral friendly co-operation, he said.

Roh said his government and people thank China for its positive contribution to seeking a peaceful solution to the nuclear issue facing the Korean Peninsula.

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