On May 29, a dialogue on “China-Japan Relations under the Great Changes” took place in Tokyo, Japan, hosted by the Japan-China Society. Liu Jianchao, Head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, attended the dialogue on invitation and delivered a speech.
Liu highlighted that changes of the world, of our times and of history are unfolding today in ways like never before, with frequent global challenges. While Asia, as the world’s most populous and economically dynamic region, maintains relative stability, negative trends such as “provoking bloc confrontation”, “building small yards with high fences”, and “decoupling and fragmenting industrial and supply chains” are growing, casting shadows over Asia’s grand vision for development and revitalization. China and Japan, as two of the world’s major countries and Asia’s largest economies, should join hands to overcome current challenges together. However, the ups and downs of China-Japan relations in recent years have posed a crucial question regarding the future of bilateral relations that visionary people in both countries must address.
Liu stated that China and Japan should form the right perception and move forward together. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. China is an active advocate and faithful practitioner of these principles, and the only country in the world that has incorporated the path of peaceful development into both its constitution and the constitution of its ruling party. China hopes to share development opportunities with Japan and other countries and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. It is hoped that Japan will uphold strategic autonomy, establish a positive and friendly perception of China, and continue to be China’s partner in safeguarding world peace, stability, development, and prosperity.
He called on the two sides to seek common and complementary development. China and Japan, as beneficiaries and advocates of economic globalization and trade liberalization, share deeply integrated economic and trade interests, as well as industrial and supply chains. One country’s development will provide new opportunities for the other. At present, China is promoting in-depth reform and high-quality development through high-standard opening up, which will provide a broader market space for the world, especially its neighboring countries, and bring more opportunities for win-win cooperation. Japan is welcomed to continue its active participation in the process of Chinese modernization and share development opportunities. China is ready to work with Japan and other relevant countries to uphold openness, progress, inclusiveness, and mutual benefit, as well as fulfill its responsibilities as a major country and play a positive role in promoting regional and world development.
Both sides should cherish peace and credibility. Next year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Over the past 80 years, Japan’s pursuit of peaceful development has helped the country win the understanding of its Asian neighbors and the international community, laying foundation for Japan’s post-war revitalization and development. It is hoped that Japan will continue along the path of being a “peaceful country”. China and Japan should jointly adhere to the bottom line of peaceful coexistence, oppose attempts to create ideological confrontation and geopolitical conflicts, and refrain from picking sides or provoking bloc confrontation, so as to pass on the torch of peace from generation to generation. China will unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development and is willing to work with Asian countries including Japan to maintain regional peace and stability and achieve common development. The Taiwan question is at the heart of the core interests of China and is the bedrock of China-Japan relations. It is hoped that the Japanese side can fully understanding the extreme sensitivity of the Taiwan question, and take practical actions to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
China and Japan should transcend confrontation through exchanges and mutual learning. The fruitful results of the exchanges and mutual learning between the two civilizations should be well cherished and carried forward. The two countries should further strengthen exchanges and mutual learning, deepen cultural ties, and make the spiritual resonance between the two peoples a solid foundation for bilateral relations. The two sides should adopt a more holistic perspective, bear global interests in mind, promote the common values of mankind, advocate the coexistence of different countries and different civilizations, and contribute wisdom and strength to help the world transcend ideological confrontation and avoid the trap of “clash of civilizations”.
Liu stressed that at this crucial stage of building on past achievements and working for fresh progress, we should place our hopes on the people and the youth, promote frequent exchanges between the two peoples, and create favorable conditions for enhancing mutual understanding and friendliness. More Japanese political parties and politicians are welcomed to visit China. We are ready to provide support for people-to-people exchanges between the youth, media, think tanks, and local governments of the two countries, so as to help China-Japan friendship keep pace with the times and take root in the hearts of the people.
During the communication session, Liu answered questions from the audience and elaborated on China’s foreign policy, the business environment for foreign enterprises in China, Japanese public opinion on China, Japan-China cultural exchanges, the Taiwan question, and China-US relations.
The dialogue attracted over 200 participants, including Wu Jianghao, Chinese Ambassador to Japan; Takeshi Noda, President of the Japan-China Society; heads of Japan-China Friendship Center, Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians’ Union, Japan-China Friendship Association, Association for the Promotion of International Trade, Japan, Japan-China Cultural Exchange Association, and Japan-China Economic Association; as well as representatives from political, academic, business, and media sectors.
