China acknowledges Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's contribution to
better relations between the two countries.

BEIJING, CHINA (SEPTEMBER 2, 2008) REUTERS - 
China on Tuesday (September 2) is optimistic that warming ties
between the two countries will continue despite the departure of Japanese
Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.
    China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Jiang Yu, gave tribute to the
improved relations achieved between Japan and China while Fukuda held the post
of Prime Minister.
    "The resignation of Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda is Japan's
internal affair. Relationships between China and Japan have kept good momentum
of development. The strategic partnership of the two countries is deepening.
Prime Minister Fukuda has made important contributions, which we highly
praised. To maintain long-term, sound and stable development of bilateral
relationships is beneficiary to the fundamental interests of the two countries
and our people. We will continue to make efforts together with Japan,"
Jiang said, speaking at a regular foreign ministry new briefing in
Beijing.
    Experts close to Beijing policy-makers said Fukuda was unusually
committed to working on better ties between China and Japan. Under Fukuda's
tenure, China became Japan's top trading partner, with two-way trade totalling
$236.6 billion U.S. dollars. 
    Fukuda met Chinese President Hu Jintao in Tokyo in May in high-profile
talks to cement warming ties. The two sides in June announced an initial
agreement on ending friction over gas beds under the East China Sea. 
    Expressing the general mood in China, Beijing local Zhang Qiang said he
believed relations depended on which politician would fill Fukuda's place.
    "I hope a new prime minister can face the truth of history. It is
impossible that he would fully agree with China's opinions on what Japan has
done in the past. But if he has a right attitude towards history, then it will
be a good thing," said Zhang.
    The favourite in Japan to succeed Fukuda is Taro Aso, a ruling Liberal
Democratic Party official and former foreign minister who has been wary of
China and wants Japan to wield more regional clout.
    Many Chinese people doubt that his successor's relations with China
would likely trigger the bitter quarrels over wartime history, territory and
influence that took place in recent years.
    "We feel a bit uncomfortable if we look back at history. But with
the development of the modern world, friendship [between the two countries] is
very important," said Zhang Wenying, an office worker in China's business
district.
    China-Japan relations cooled under Yasuo Fukuda's predecessor,
Junichiro Koizumi. 
    Koizumi had visited Yasukuni Shrine, a memorial to Japan's war dead
seen by many in Asia as a symbol of the country's past military aggression.

    Japan invaded and occupied parts of China from 1931-45.