Wang Yi calls for steady, long-term China-Japan ties

The momentum of improvement in China-Japan relations has not come easily, making it particularly important to maintain the political foundation of bilateral ties, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya in Tokyo.

As close neighbors, China-Japan relations hold significance beyond the bilateral scope, Wang noted, adding that both sides should face history, look to the future, maintain the right direction for bilateral ties, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation across various fields, and promote stable, long-term relations that contribute to peace and prosperity in both countries and Asia.

Wang stressed that correctly understanding and addressing historical issues is a crucial prerequisite for Japan's post-war return to the international community, the political foundation for its relations with neighboring countries, and a key test of its commitment to peaceful development.

The four political documents between China and Japan clearly outline provisions on historical issues and the Taiwan question, which must be strictly implemented, Wang said.

For his part, Iwaya said Japan has long followed the path of peaceful development and places great importance on adhering to the four political documents between the two countries. He added that Japan's position on the Taiwan question, based on the Japan-China Joint Communique of 1972, remains unchanged.

In November last year, leaders of both countries reached an important consensus on comprehensively advancing the strategic relationship of mutual benefit and fostering constructive, stable bilateral ties, Iwaya said.

Based on that consensus, both sides have made efforts to improve relations, he added.

Seeing vast potential for cooperation, Iwaya said Japan is determined to strengthen dialogue and communication with China, further push for tangible cooperation across various fields, and bring greater benefits to both peoples.

As the international landscape evolves rapidly, Japan and China, as responsible nations, should work together to play a positive role in safeguarding regional peace and stability, he added.