Wang Yi Puts forward Five Suggestions on the Development of China-Japan Relations

　　On December 7, 2022, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, State Councilor and Foreign Minister, delivered a video speech at the opening ceremony of the 18th "Beijing-Tokyo Forum".

　　Wang Yi expressed that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, and next year will usher in the 45th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship. Renew the purpose of the treaty of jointly opposing hegemonism, and promote the continuous and stable progress of Sino-Japanese relations in the right direction.

Wang Yi put forward five suggestions in this regard:

　　11 China and Japan should communicate with each other with trust and stick to political commitments.

When the diplomatic relations between the two countries were normalized in 1972, Premier Zhou Enlai and Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka left aphorisms, "Words must be kept, actions must be resolute" and "Trust is the foundation of everything".

Abide by faith is a principle that will never become obsolete and must always be remembered in Sino-Japanese exchanges.

To this end, the two sides must stick to the various commitments established in the four political documents, each adhere to the path of peaceful development, establish an objective and rational understanding of each other, and earnestly implement the political consensus of "being cooperative partners and not posing threats to each other". Reflected in policy, implemented in action.

Major sensitive issues such as history and Taiwan involve the political foundation of the relationship between the two countries. In particular, we must keep our promises and handle them properly to ensure that we will not waver or cross the line.

　　11 China and Japan should achieve each other and insist on win-win cooperation.

China-Japan economic and trade cooperation is mutually beneficial in nature, which is the result of the combined effect of market rules and respective needs.

In the first three quarters of this year, the trade volume between China and Japan reached 270.4 billion US dollars, fully demonstrating the potential and resilience of the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

China will promote high-quality development, expand high-level opening-up, and build a new development pattern.

The Japanese side is welcome to share the huge opportunities arising from this and promote the continuous common development and prosperity of the two countries.

We must be vigilant against malicious interference and constraints on China-Japan economic and trade cooperation, resist unilateralism, oppose decoupling and disconnection, and jointly maintain the stability and smoothness of the global production and supply chain, and a fair and open trade and investment environment.

　　11. China and Japan should treat each other with sincerity and strive for peaceful coexistence.

Since ancient times, China has had a tradition of valuing peace and being kind to neighbors.

China and Japan are close neighbors who will always get along with each other. Neighborhood relations should not be drawn into the stereotype of camp confrontation, let alone fall into the trap of zero-sum game.

The differences between the two parties should be handled properly in accordance with the existing consensus, and more new consensus should be constantly sought.

Hong Kong-related and Xinjiang-related affairs are China's internal affairs. Japan should not interfere, and China will not interfere in Japan's internal affairs. This is the norm of international relations and the way to get along with neighbors.

　　11. China and Japan should have heart-to-heart friendship and build a solid foundation of friendship.

Those who communicate with each other by heart will last forever.

China and Japan are geographically close and have similar people-to-people and cultural connections. In the long course of history, no matter what difficulties and setbacks the relationship between the two countries has encountered, there have always been a large number of people of insight who are determined and committed to the friendship between the two peoples.

Since the beginning of this year, the two sides have carried out a variety of commemorative activities around the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations.

We should take advantage of the momentum to promote friendly exchanges and improve national feelings.

The media is a public instrument of society. It is hoped that the media of the two countries will play an active role in promoting the establishment of sincere and friendly mutual understanding between the two peoples.

　　11 China and Japan must uphold principles and uphold fairness and justice.

At present, the century-old changes in the world are accelerating, and multilateralism and the international order are under impact.

Temporary strength lies in strength, and eternal victory depends on reason.

The world today should not return to the jungle world where might makes right. The basic norms of international relations centered on the UN Charter should be upheld and promoted.

As important countries in Asia and the world, China and Japan should shoulder their due responsibilities, strengthen communication and coordination, practice true multilateralism, promote regional peace, stability and integrated development, and jointly respond to endless global challenges.