Developing China-Japan relations to a “new height”

Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono and his counterpart Wang Yi. Photo: AP

The invitation comes as 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Peace and Friendship. Minister Wang Yi wants to take this opportunity to strengthen high-level exchanges with Japan,

“China hopes that Japan will continue to pursue policies to improve bilateral relations with practical actions and work closely with China to promote the development of bilateral relations in the right direction,” he stressed. Wang Yi also highly appreciated Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono’s visit to China, which demonstrated the Japanese government’s determination to improve bilateral relations, and suggested that both sides should take advantage of this favorable opportunity to elevate bilateral relations to a “new level.”

Mr. Wang Yi also emphasized that the stable and healthy development of China-Japan relations must conform to the fundamental interests of the governments and peoples of the two countries. Accordingly, both sides need to cooperate in the spirit of taking history as a mirror to look toward the future.

“In the past, the China-Japan bilateral relationship was like a ship trying to go against the current, with no new progress and even worsening. Therefore, we highly appreciate Tokyo’s recent positive statements,” said Mr. Wang Yi.

Ready to accept the invitation from China, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono stressed that Tokyo is willing to cooperate with China to promote a mutually beneficial strategic relationship as the two countries prepare to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the signing of the treaty. He affirmed: "In 2018, Japan wants to optimize its relationship with China and promote comprehensive bilateral cooperation." He also hoped that increasing high-level exchanges between the two sides would facilitate trade and economic cooperation.

Relations between China and Japan have been plagued for years by a dispute over sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands, which Tokyo calls the Diaoyu Islands and Beijing calls the Diaoyu Islands.

Relations between the two countries have been particularly tense since Japan nationalized three of the five islands in September 2012. However, in early December, the two countries reached a broad agreement to establish a communication mechanism to prevent accidental clashes at sea or in the air in disputed areas of the East China Sea, including the Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands.