Advertisement

China's Hu may put off visit to Japan

China's President Hu Jintao (L) waves while other new Politburo Standing Committee Members line up at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing October 22, 2007. (UPI Photo/Stephen Shaver)
China's President Hu Jintao (L) waves while other new Politburo Standing Committee Members line up at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing October 22, 2007. (UPI Photo/Stephen Shaver) | License Photo

TOKYO, March 5 (UPI) -- The visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao to Japan reportedly may be postponed to May because of the dispute over Chinese dumpling food poisoning.

Both sides may decide to push Hu's visit, originally set for April, to the middle or later part of May, the Kyodo news service reported Wednesday quoting sources connected with Japan-China relations.

Advertisement

The move also comes because of Japan's busy diplomatic schedule, which will include the likely visit of South Korean President Lee Myung-bak in April.

The report said there are conflicting views on the dumpling food poisoning issue among Japanese and Chinese authorities. A Japanese government source told Kyodo it was felt this issue not become a priority issue in the talks between Hu and Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda.

A postponement of Hu's visit may also enable Fukuda to visit Europe and Russia during Japan's holiday season from late April to early May, the report said.

Latest Headlines