Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda arrived in Beijing yesterday looking forward to taking ties with his country's key regional neighbor to a new level.

Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda (C) is welcomed by Chinese officials at an airport in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 27, 2007. Yasuo Fukuda arrived here on Thursday for a four-day official visit to China. (Xinhua Photo)

Fukuda's four-day China visit, the second Japanese leader to visit in 15 months, is viewed as another important measure for the two countries to further improve and develop bilateral relations.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told yesterday's press briefing that China would give Fukuda a warm and friendly welcome and hoped he would enjoy his stay.

Fukuda is scheduled to meet with President Hu Jintao and top legislator Wu Bangguo respectively today.

Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda (Front) walks out of the plane at an airport in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 27, 2007. Yasuo Fukuda arrived here on Thursday for a four-day official visit to China.? (Xinhua Photo)

Before meeting Hu and Wu, Fukuda will hold talks with his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao. The two prime ministers met on the sidelines of high-level ASEAN meetings in Singapore last month.

According to a Japanese senior official, the two sides are expected to sign a number of joint documents on topics including climate change and a youth exchange program for next year.

Fukuda said earlier that he planned to make detailed suggestions on bilateral cooperation in environmental protection and energy during his visit.

He said Japan is ready to cooperate on promoting efficient coal-fired power generation, water purification and a recycling economy.

The Japanese official, who withheld his name and position, said Fukuda was an old friend of China who had already established rapport with the Chinese leadership.

He added that Fukuda visited China four years ago in the capacity of Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary and met with Chinese leaders including Hu and Wu.

Fukuda's father, former Japanese Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda, forged a peace and friendship treaty with China in 1978, setting policies to further develop economic and cultural exchanges between the two sides.

Japanese sources indicated China's economic development was very important to Japan's economic growth because the country is Japan's largest trading partner, while Japan is the largest foreign investor in China.

Besides Beijing, Fukuda also intends to visit a Japanese joint venture in a development zone in Tianjin, a city neighboring the capital.

He will then tour the temple and cemetery of Confucius in the ancient philosopher's hometown of Qufu in East China's Shandong Province on the weekend.

Qin Gang said Tianjin was one of the key economic hubs in northern China and he hoped the visit would help Fukuda to further understand the state of bilateral economic cooperation.

The Japanese official said Fukuda was really looking forward to his Qufu visit.

He said the two countries shared a great cultural background and that Confucianism was an important element of the two country's common cultural heritage.

The trip will offer Fukuda "a chance to touch China's culture and philosophy," he added.

(China Daily December 28, 2007)