By Zhang Hua, Liu Zan

    TOKYO, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- The upcoming Beijing Olympics 2008, which marks the 30th anniversary of China's Reform and Opening Up, will arguably become a milestone of China during its transition from the past development to a new era, Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda told Xinhua.

    "Through the Reform and Opening Up, China has achieved economic boom and enhanced its existence and influence in the international community...On dealing with global issues such as environment-protection, energy-saving and food security, China has been playing a more and more important role," Fukuda said in a recent written interview with Xinhua.

    "As the Beijing Olympics is to be staged in such background, I hope that China exhibit its will and capability to make greater contribution to regional and world peace, stability and prosperity," Fukuda added.

    The prime minister is to leave for Beijing Friday to attend the opening ceremony of the games. He said he is looking forward to Japanese and Chinese athletes' performance on the court.

    "I wish that athletes of the two countries make all-out efforts under the Olympic spirit, and I myself would like to cheer for them with Chinese friends," Fukuda said.

    About strengthening mutual understanding and friendly sentiment between people of the two countries, Fukuda emphasized the necessity to broaden bilateral communications in all fields and on all levels.

    "I shared the same view with Chinese leaders on this point," Fukuda said.

    As he believes civil communications is the basis for stable Japan-China relations in the future, the prime minister is happy to see that the two countries have been enlarging the scope of people-to-people exchange by taking chances such as the 2008 exchange year for youths.

    "I think it's important to have full understanding of each other and accumulate such understanding by pushing forward civil communications. Interpersonal links fostered in this process are not only conducive to building a nice relationship between Japan and China, but also favorable to creating a bright future for the region and the world," Fukuda said.