Wang Yi (R), director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoshimasa Hayashi in Beijing, China, April 2, 2023. /Chinese Foreign Ministry
The current Sino-Japanese relations remain generally stable, but from time to time there are various noises and disturbances, Wang Yi, director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, told visiting Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoshimasa Hayashi on Sunday.
The fundamental reason is that some forces in Japan deliberately follow the wrong U.S. policy toward China, and cooperate with the U.S. side in smearing and provoking on issues involving the core interests of China, Wang pointed out.
He stressed that such a move "is strategically short-sighted, politically wrong and diplomatically unwise."
Noting that China has maintained a highly stable and consistent policy toward Japan, Wang said the Chinese side is ready to work with the Japanese side to take the opportunity of commemorating the 45th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship to build China-Japan relations in accordance with the demands of new era.
Wang Yi (R), director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoshimasa Hayashi in Beijing, China, April 2, 2023. /Chinese Foreign Ministry
He also urged the Japanese side to sum up the lessons of history, abide by the principles enshrined in the four political documents between the two countries and get rid of zero-sum thinking.
The Japanese side should take practical action to put into practice the important consensus of "being cooperative partners and not posing a threat to each other," and work together to improve and develop bilateral ties, Wang added.
Noting that this year marks the 45th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, Hayashi believed that bilateral ties are at a critical point.
The two countries have great potential for cooperation in a wide range of areas, but also face a number of issues that need to be resolved, he pointed out.
The Japanese foreign minister said that his country is willing to work with China to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and build a constructive and stable Japan-China relationship to achieve a win-win and multi-win situation.
The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.