Japan wants talks on aid cuts

Japan said it wanted to begin talks with China on ramping down its development aid to Beijing, saying that the two should work together to discuss how the cutbacks can be implemented. The move follows reductions in the number of low-interest loans Japan has given, and comes amid continuing tensions between the two countries over their wartime past and their current competing claims for maritime territory and energy reserves. According to the Yomiuri Shimbun newspaper, the Japanese government plans to draw up a road map for ending official development assistance, with dates being mooted for ending all fresh aid in 2008, when Beijing hosts the Olympics, or 2010, when a World Exposition is to be held in Shanghai. .