Chinese Ambassador to Japan Kong Xuanyou Holds Resignation Reception

　　China News Service, Tokyo, February 25 (Reporter Zhu Chenxi) Chinese Ambassador to Japan Kong Xuanyou and his wife Wang Xiujun held a departure reception at the New Otani Hotel in Tokyo on the 24th.

　　Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and Yukio Hatoyama, Komeito Party representative Yamaguchi Natsuo, Constitutional Democratic Party representative Izumi Kenta, former Liberal Democratic Party secretary-general Nikai Toshihiro, House of Representatives vice-speaker Kaieda Wanri, Senate vice-president Nagahama Hiroyuki, Ministry of Foreign Affairs deliberative officer Yamada Shigeo, Chairman of Keidanren Masakazu Tokura, Chairman of the Japan-China Association Takeshi Noda, Chairman of the Japan-China Friendship Center Acting Yuji Miyamoto, Secretary-General of the Japan-China Friendship Diet Association Shoichi Kondo, Director of Affairs Yuko Obuchi and other senior government officials More than 800 people, including members of Congress, members of the Senate and House of Representatives, heads of local governments and friendly organizations, and heads of economic circles, attended the event.

　　In his speech, Kong Xuanyou recalled the unforgettable experience of being engaged in diplomatic work and being stationed in daily life for many years. He said that taking the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan last year as an opportunity, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, the two sides have strengthened political and diplomatic interactions and all levels and fields. Dialogue and communication, all walks of life in the two countries held hundreds of commemorative activities, forming an upsurge and momentum of exchanges and commemoration, and bringing together positive energy for the improvement of Sino-Japanese relations.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Peace and Friendship. The two sides are maintaining communication on strengthening high-level interactions and institutional dialogues, actively planning exchanges between governments, political parties, parliaments, local governments and youth, and steadily resuming and developing exchanges and cooperation in various fields.

It is hoped that the two sides will seize the dividends of the post-epidemic era, make up for the deficit in personnel exchanges and exchanges and dialogues under the epidemic as soon as possible, set off a new round of exchanges, and promote the improvement and development of China-Japan relations along the right track.

　　Kong Xuanyou said that as close neighbors who cannot move and partners with a long history of exchanges, as long as China and Japan earnestly abide by the spirit of the four political documents, always grasp the relationship between the two countries from a strategic height and a long-term perspective, do not be confused by a momentary incident, and adhere to peace and friendship The correct direction of cooperation, adhere to the principle of keeping promises and friendship as neighbors, and persist in constructively managing and controlling conflicts and differences will surely create a more mature, stable, healthy and resilient China-Japan relationship and open up bright prospects for bilateral relations in the new era.

　　Yasuo Fukuda said in his speech that Ambassador Kong worked hard to overcome the severe difficulties of the epidemic during his tenure and made great efforts to promote the development of bilateral relations.

Japan-China relations are extremely important to both countries. The two sides depend on each other and are indispensable. We should resume dialogue and communication as soon as possible and strengthen exchanges and cooperation. I am willing to make active efforts for this.

　　Natsuo Yamaguchi said in his speech that this year marks the 45th anniversary of the signing of the "Japan-China Treaty of Peace and Friendship."

Komeito has always attached importance to relations with China, and will strive to promote the younger generations of the two countries to actively participate in the cause of Japan-China friendship.

　　Shigeo Yamada said in his speech that the current Japan-China relations have great potential for development but also face many issues.

The Japanese side is willing to work with the Chinese side to continue to work hard to promote the building of a constructive and stable Japan-China relationship.

　　In his speech, Tokura Masakazu expressed his deep gratitude to Ambassador Kong for his strong support to the Japanese business community and Japan-China economic and trade cooperation during his tenure.

Last year, the Keidanren, as the lead unit of the executive committee commemorating the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and the Chinese side, jointly organized more than 200 commemorative activities, fully recognizing the importance of Japan-China relations.

The Japanese business community will continue to make efforts to strengthen Japan-China economic and trade cooperation and improve and develop relations between the two countries from a non-governmental perspective.

　　Noda Takeshi said in his speech that as eternal close neighbors, no matter what difficulties Japan and China face, they should not be confused by immediate interests and problems, but should always think about and plan the future prospects of bilateral relations from a long-term perspective.

The Seven Japan-China Friendship Groups are willing to take the opportunity of the 45th anniversary of the signing of the "Japan-China Treaty of Peace and Friendship" this year to hold more colorful commemorative activities and play a positive role in deepening mutual understanding between the two peoples.

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