On October 1, 2024, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Shigeru Ishiba on his election as Japanese Prime Minister.
Xi Jinping noted that China and Japan are neighbors separated by a strip of water. It serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples for both sides to pursue a path of peaceful coexistence, everlasting friendship, mutually beneficial cooperation and common development. Xi Jinping also expressed his hope that the Japanese side can work with the Chinese side in the same direction, abide by the principles and common understandings of the four political documents between China and Japan, and comprehensively promote a strategic relationship of mutual benefit, in an effort to build a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship fit for the new era.
On the same day, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council sent a congratulatory message to Shigeru Ishiba. Li Qiang said the two sides should maintain the political foundation of bilateral relations and enhance friendship, mutual trust and cooperation to better benefit the people of the two countries.
