Wang Yi: China and Japan to strengthen exchanges, cooperation

China's top diplomat Wang Yi said on Tuesday that China and Japan should strengthen exchanges and cooperation, reiterating the two countries' consensus that they are cooperative partners rather than threats to one another.

Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks while meeting with Hiroshi Moriyama, chairman of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) General Council, in Beijing.

Wang expressed his appreciation for Moriyama's long-term concern and support for the improvement and development of China-Japan relations.

As neighboring countries, Wang said, China and Japan should support, understand and help each other, which is the correct way for neighboring countries to coexist. He stated that both sides should abide by the provisions of the four political documents between China and Japan, strengthen dialogue, enhance mutual understanding and deepen cooperation.

"This not only serves the interests of the people of both countries but also contributes to regional and even global peace and development," he said.

Noting that the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee has just been successfully held, Wang said that China will further comprehensively deepen reforms and provide more opportunities for Japan's development and China-Japan cooperation.

Wang clarified China's position and concerns regarding the discharge of nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the ocean. Wang pointed out that the ocean discharge is related to human health, the marine environment and international public interests, and the urgent task is to establish a long-term international monitoring mechanism to ensure the comprehensive and effective participation of relevant parties, including China.

Wang also clarified China's position on the Taiwan question. He said the Taiwan question is related to the political foundation of the bilateral relations, and the Taiwan Straits is not a "political theater." The Japanese side should abide by the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan, speak and act cautiously on the Taiwan question, and ensure the foundation of China-Japan relations remains intact and unshakable, Wang said.

Wang dismissed the notion of China being an "unprecedented strategic challenge" and emphasized the importance of dialogue, understanding and cooperation between the two Asian countries. 

He also welcomed Japanese politicians, including younger lawmakers, to visit China more frequently.

For his part, Moriyama first expressed his condolences for the flood disasters in Hunan and other regions.

He expressed his desire to inherit and carry forward the friendly traditions of the older generation of politicians, continue strengthening exchanges with China, promote mutually beneficial cooperation and advance the sustained development of the strategic and mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries in accordance with the important consensus reached by the leaders of both nations.