Prime Minister Taro Aso will visit China late October to attend a meeting of Asian and European leaders and plans to meet President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao during the trip, media reports said. The two countries are finalizing details of the visit.
Aso brushed aside all speculation about calling an election this month and said that he will first initiate measures to fight the economic slowdown rather than call for an election. He also plans to attend a ceremony commemorating the 30th anniversary of the conclusion of the peace and friendship treaty between China and Japan, an event that will be held around the time of his visit to China. The two countries are expected to discuss cooperation on food safety and lowering greenhouse gas emissions, among other issues.
Aso did not visit China while serving earlier as the foreign minister under Prime Minsiters Junichiro Koizumi and Shinzo Abe.
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