China, Japan vow to promote bilateral ties

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama in New York, the United States, Sept. 21, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

 NEW YORK, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama agreed here Monday to further advance bilateral relations.

    "I wish and believe that during the tenure of Prime Minister Hatoyama, China-Japan relations will show a new state of more active growth and usher in a greater prospect," Hu said while meeting with Hatoyama on the sidelines of a series of UN meetings to be held in New York this week.

    Hatoyama fully agreed with Hu's proposal to further advance bilateral ties. He added that the Japanese side would concentrate on pushing forward and enriching the relationship, which was based on common strategic interests.

    This was the first meeting between the two leaders since Hatoyama was elected Japan's new prime minister on Sept. 16.