In a significant development for East Asian diplomacy, Chinese Premier Li Qiang welcomed a delegation from Japan's ruling coalition to Beijing on Wednesday. Led by Secretary-General Hiroshi Moriyama of the Liberal Democratic Party and Secretary-General Makoto Nishida of the Komeito Party, the delegation marked the resumption of the ruling party exchange mechanism after nearly seven years.
Premier Li, also serving as a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, highlighted that China-Japan relations are currently at a pivotal stage of improvement and development. He emphasized that renewing this exchange mechanism is a crucial step in implementing the mutual consensus reached by the leaders of both nations.
Li expressed optimism about the future of bilateral relations, stating, \"We hope that China and Japan will continue working together to enhance mutual trust, deepen cooperation, manage differences, and promote the sound and steady development of bilateral relations that will bring more benefits to the two peoples.\" He called for both ruling parties to safeguard the long-term fundamental interests of their respective countries and adopt a responsible attitude towards their histories and peoples.
The Premier also underscored the importance of exploring new growth areas in economic cooperation, including sci-tech innovation, the digital economy, and green development. Additionally, he advocated for increased people-to-people and subnational exchanges to build a robust social foundation for enduring bilateral relations.
From the Japanese side, the delegation reiterated its willingness to improve relations with the Chinese mainland and commit to the principles outlined in the four political documents, notably the Japan-China Joint Statement. They acknowledged the far-reaching significance of the ruling party exchange mechanism and expressed anticipation for expanded exchanges at all levels by 2025.
The Japanese delegation also highlighted their eagerness to strengthen understanding and exchanges between the younger generations of both countries, signaling a forward-looking approach to fostering long-term friendship and cooperation.
Reference(s):
Chinese premier meets delegation of Japan's ruling coalition
cgtn.com
