On the evening of October 23, 2023, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi attended a reception marking the 45th anniversary of concluding the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. Former Prime Minister of Japan Fukuda Yasuo and about 200 Chinese and Japanese representatives from all walks of life were present.

Wang Yi first expressed sincere greetings on behalf of the Chinese government to friends from all walks of life who have long been committed to the cause of peace and friendship between China and Japan. Wang Yi said, 45 years ago, the elder generation of leaders of China and Japan like Deng Xiaoping and Fukuda Takeo, in the spirit of drawing lessons from history and looking forward to the future, made the strategic decision to conclude a treaty of peace and friendship between China and Japan, and legally established peace and friendship as the common goal and obligation of the two sides, which marked an important milestone in the history of China-Japan relations. Over the past 45 years, guided by the four political documents between China and Japan, including the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, China-Japan relations have forged ahead despite setbacks, bringing significant benefits to the two peoples and playing an important role in regional prosperity and stability.

Wang Yi pointed out that at present, in the face of a volatile and intertwined international situation, China-Japan relations have once again stood at a crucial crossroads. President Xi Jinping pointed out that the importance of China-Japan relations has not and will not change. A stable and mutually beneficial China-Japan relationship is vital to the two countries, indispensable to Asia and has a profound impact on the world. Today, leaders of the two countries exchanged congratulatory messages, stressing that the two sides should relive the spirit of the Treaty and work to build a China-Japan relationship that answers the call of the new era. The two sides should take the 45th anniversary of concluding the Treaty as an opportunity to keep in mind the original intention of the Treaty, abide by the consensus of the Treaty, practice the principles of the Treaty, and bring China-Japan relations back to the track of sound development.

Wang Yi stressed that the best way to commemorate the Treaty is to uphold mutual respect and mutual trust and build a solid political foundation for peaceful coexistence. Wang Yi expressed the hope that Japan will steer bilateral relations in the right direction from a strategic perspective, view China's development and revitalization in an objective and rational way, and incorporate the important consensus that "the two countries should be partners, not threats" into concrete policies and actions. Noting historical issues and the Taiwan question, among others, bear on the political foundation and basic trust of bilateral relations, Wang Yi also expressed the hope that the Japanese side will return to the original intention of concluding the Treaty, bear in mind the lessons of history, and ensure that the political foundation of China-Japan relations is not damaged or shaken, and that the peaceful development process of the two countries does not deviate or retrogress.

The best way to carry forward the Treaty is to uphold good-neighborly friendship and improve public support for bilateral relations. China and Japan are important neighbors with a deep historical bond and close cultural ties. Good-neighborly friendship is the only right choice for both sides. The two sides should make full use of the unique advantages of their geographical proximity and cultural affinity, continue to carry out friendly exchanges in various fields and through multiple channels, help the two peoples, especially the younger generations, develop an objective and friendly understanding of each other, and write a new chapter of China-Japan friendship in the new era.

The best way to implement the Treaty is to uphold mutual benefit and unleash the huge potential of practical cooperation. Over the past 45 years of China's reform and opening up, mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Japan has grown from a trickle to a mighty river, bringing important benefits to the two peoples. China's current efforts to press ahead with high-quality development and high-standard opening up will surely bring important and lasting opportunities to the world, especially its neighboring countries. China and Japan should firmly establish a sense of partnership, oppose "decoupling and fragmenting supply and industrial chains" and building "small yards with high fences", not arbitrarily place curbs under the name of "economic security", and make due contributions to regional and global development and prosperity.

Wang Yi pointed out that the world today is far from being tranquil. Asia, as an important engine for global economic growth, has maintained peace and stability, and enjoyed a historic opportunity to rise. Both China and Japan are Asian countries and bear responsibility for the future of the Asian region. The two countries should follow the trend of the times, practice true multilateralism, promote open regionalism, advocate the Eastern philosophy of "harmony and coexistence", oppose ideological confrontation, and refuse the regressive move of instigating a "new Cold War", so as to inject more positive energy into maintaining regional peace and stability and provide more new impetus for addressing global challenges.

Wang Yi said, neighbors can be chosen, but neighboring countries cannot be chosen. Peaceful coexistence and lasting friendship are the right way for neighboring countries to get along. Wang Yi calls on the two sides to abide by the spirit of the Treaty, uphold the faith of peace, promote the steady and sustained progress of China-Japan relations, and make new contribution to peace, stability and development of Asia and the world at large.

In his speech, Fukuda Yasuo said, the conclusion of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China is of great significance. Since the Treaty was concluded, China's economy has achieved rapid development, and Japan-China cooperation has also delivered important outcomes. Japan is ready to work with China to uphold the purpose of the Treaty, overcome the difficulties it faces, and make unremitting efforts to further promote the good-neighborly friendship between Japan and China and deepen peace, friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

The reception was co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the China-Japan Friendship Association.