Leaders agree on need for stronger Sino-Japanese ties
President Xi Jinping urged Japan on Saturday to take more tangible action — including the creation of policies — honoring the two countries’ shared belief that they are cooperative partners rather than threats to each other.
In a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Xi advocated further bilateral cooperation in light of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Olympics — the 2020 Summer Games in Japan and the 2022 Winter Games in China.
Abe said Tokyo is ready to cooperate on these, adding that Japan also wants to deepen exchanges in tourism, culture and youth development.
The discussion took place on the sidelines of the 25th Asia- Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Da Nang, Vietnam. Both leaders pledged to improve ties.
Tokyo should always act in accord with the four political documents and the consensus reached by the two sides with regard to history, Taiwan and other principles at the heart of China-Japan relations, Xi said.
Mutual trust is key, and a constructive approach should be employed in managing and controlling differences between the two countries, he said, adding that the two sides should push for lasting improvements.
Next year will mark the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, and Abe said Japan is hoping to push bilateral ties forward and increase high-level exchanges with China.
Lyu Yaodong, a researcher of Japanese foreign policy at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said a major improvement of the relationship requires detailed preparation.
“Only by effectively managing — not worsening — the major problems between the two countries can the relationship get back on track,” Lyu said, adding that Japan should play a more proactive role in boosting regional cooperation.
Speaking of bilateral relations, Xi said mutually beneficial cooperation is a driving force. The two countries should promote regional economic integration and push for early implementation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, he said.
Abe said Japan hopes to discuss connectivity cooperation along with the Belt and Road Initiative.
Liang Yunxiang, a professor of Japan studies at Peking University, said Tokyo should not cling to the idea that China and Japan are competing for a leading role in shaping the regional or global order.
Rather, they should promote multilateral cooperation in East Asia, make cooperation a standard feature of the bilateral relationship and increase their shared interest and responsibilities within the framework of multilateral cooperation, Liang said.
As Japan will host the Summer Olympic Games in 2020, and China will host the Winter Games in 2022, Xi said both countries should cooperate on those events and reinforce bonds between their people.
Only by effectively managing — not worsening — the major problems between the two countries can the relationship get back on track.” Lyu Yaodong, researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences