Q: In their speeches to the Parliament on January 20, both Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi and Foreign Minister Taro Aso noted that they attach importance to Japan's relationship with China. How do you comment on that?

        A: We have taken note of the speeches of Prime Minister Koizumi and Foreign Minister Taro Aso, in which they reaffirmed that they attach importance to Japan's relations with China. In the meantime, we believe that Japan should take concrete steps to improve bilateral ties. The Chinese Government will continue to develop friendly relations and cooperation with Japan on the basis of the principle of "taking history as a mirror and facing towards the future".