China and Japan Pledge to Strengthen Ties Amid Crucial Phase in Bilateral Relations

Beijing, The Gulf Observer: Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized that China-Japan relations are at a critical juncture for improvement and development during a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya on Wednesday at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Li expressed China’s willingness to collaborate with Japan to implement key agreements made by the leaders of both nations. He underscored the importance of fostering sustained and healthy bilateral relations while achieving new milestones in pragmatic cooperation.

Describing China and Japan as “close neighbors that cannot be moved away from each other,” Li reiterated their mutual commitment to being cooperative partners rather than perceiving each other as threats.

“It is hoped that Japan will work with China, abide by the principles laid down in the four China-Japan political documents, face history squarely and look to the future, constructively manage differences and disputes, and take care of the big picture of China-Japan relations,” Li said.

The Chinese premier also called for expanding economic and trade ties, deepening mutually beneficial cooperation, and strengthening people-to-people exchanges to further solidify bilateral relations.

In response, Foreign Minister Iwaya expressed Japan’s readiness to work closely with China to enhance exchanges at all levels, particularly in fostering people-to-people connections. He emphasized the importance of promoting mutually beneficial cooperation, improving public perceptions of each other, and advancing the strategic partnership to build constructive and stable China-Japan relations.

The meeting reflects a shared commitment to addressing challenges and seizing opportunities to strengthen ties between Asia’s two largest economies.