On February 26, Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), met with Miyamoto Yuji, President of the Japan-China Friendship Center (JCFC), at the CPAFFC. The two sides exchanged views on the current China-Japan relations, people-to-people exchanges and cooperation, and other topics of common concern.
Yang Wanming expressed his appreciation for the long-term positive contributions the JCFC has made to China-Japan people-to-people exchanges and added that China-Japan relations are in a critical period of improvement and development. Last November, Chinese President Xi Jinping held a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru in Lima, Peru, during which they reaffirmed their commitment to comprehensively advancing the China-Japan strategic relationship of mutual benefit and striving to build a constructive and stable relationship that meets the requirements of the new era. This has pointed out the way forward for the development of bilateral ties. Yang said that it's glad to see the vibrant interactions between the two sides and the encouraging momentum in people-to-people exchanges in all areas. However, complex and sensitive factors still remain in bilateral relations. He expressed the hope that the Japanese side would adhere to the one-China principle and the guiding principles set out in the four political documents between China and Japan, and work with the Chinese side to jointly push forward the sound and stable development of China-Japan relations.
Yang Wanming expressed that the CPAFFC will work with the JCFC and other sectors in Japan to follow through on the important consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries. It will work together to carry out friendly exchanges on all fronts and at all levels for all social sectors, including politics, economy, and culture, and among media organizations, subnational entities, non-governmental organizations, and young people. Additionally, it will build more bridges of people-to-people exchanges, practical cooperation, cultural exchanges and youth friendship. All these aim to make new and greater contributions to the continuous improvement and development of the China-Japan relations.
Miyamoto Yuji stated that in the current complex and ever-changing international landscape, it is essential for Japan and China to strengthen exchanges and cooperation across the board and jointly tackle common challenges faced by the two countries in their development. This is an integral component of the efforts to comprehensively advance the China-Japan strategic relationship of mutual benefit. People-to-people friendship plays a pivotal role in the development of bilateral relations. The JCFC is willing to work with the Chinese side to seize opportunities, meet each other halfway, and jointly maintain the positive momentum of improvement and development in Japan-China relations. The JCFC will work to cement public support for the China-Japan friendship by enhancing exchanges in areas such as mutual visits of young people and academic seminars between the two countries.
Zhu Dan, Director-General of the CPAFFC Department of East Asian Affairs and Usui Masato, Minister of the Embassy of Japan in China, were present at the meeting.
