Xi says China-Japan relations in critical period of improvement, development

China-Japan relations are in a critical period of improvement and development, as the current international and regional situation face changes and turbulence, Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Friday.

As close neighbors and important countries in Asia and the world, the relationship between China and Japan holds significance that goes beyond the bilateral scope, Xi said while meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on the sidelines of the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima, Peru.

He noted that China is willing to work with Japan, in accordance with the principles and directions established in the four political documents between China and Japan, to uphold the important consensus that the two countries should "be partners, not threats," comprehensively advance the strategic relationship of mutual benefit, and endeavor to build a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship that meets the requirements of the new era.

Xi stressed that China's development is an opportunity for the world, and this is especially true for neighboring countries like Japan. He expressed hope that Japan will work with China to develop a correct mutual understanding, steer the bilateral relationship in the right direction from a strategic perspective and with a broad view of the overall situation, and translate the important political consensus reached by both sides into concrete policies and actions.

Xi called on the Japanese side to face history squarely, look to the future, and properly handle major issues of principle such as history and Taiwan, manage differences in a constructive manner and maintain the political foundation of bilateral relations.

Both sides should deepen and expand cultural and local exchanges, promoting mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries, especially the younger generation, said Xi.

As the economic interests and production and supply chains of China and Japan are deeply integrated, both sides should adhere to mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, safeguard the global free trade system as well as stable and smooth production and supply chains, said Xi.

He also called on the two countries to strengthen coordination on international and regional affairs, practice true multilateralism, promote open regionalism and jointly address global challenges.

Ishiba said that Japan and China should work together to comprehensively advance the strategic relationship of mutual benefit between the two countries and build constructive and stable bilateral ties.

Japan's position on the Taiwan question, based on the Japan-China joint communique in 1972, remains unchanged, the Japanese prime minister noted, adding that Japan has no intention of decoupling from China.

(With input from Xinhua)