On April 29, 2009, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao held talks with his Japanese counterpart Taro Aso at the Great Hall of the People.

Wen said the China-Japan friendship is a general trend and common aspiration of both peoples. With the joint efforts of both sides, China-Japan ties had maintained positive growth momentum, Wen said, adding the hard-won situation should be treasured by both sides. He called on governments and political figures on both sides to stick to the principles of the four China-Japan political documents, and make unremitting efforts to push forward bilateral ties by taking history as a mirror and looking forward to the future.

Wen said historical issues were highly sensitive and affected people's feelings. He called on Japan to honor its promise and handle historical issues in an appropriate way. China was willing to cooperate with Japan to expand youth and non-governmental exchanges, to boost understanding between the two peoples, Wen said.

Aso said with the joint efforts by the two governments and peoples from all walks of life, Japan and China enjoy closer ties with fruitful cooperation on politics, economy and trade. He said Japan's position on historical issues was fully reflected in the official statements by Japanese prime ministers in 1995 and 2005. The main spirit in the statements is facing up to history and looking into the future. That stance has not changed, he said. Japan was willing to properly handle existing problems in Japan-China ties and enhance political trust, he said. Aso called for closer youth exchanges through the mechanisms including dialogue among youth economic elites to foster affection between the two peoples.

Wen emphasized that in face of the severe impact of the global financial crisis, closer China-Japan cooperation is conducive for both sides to make joint efforts in overcoming difficulties and promoting regional economic growth. Wen asked the two major world economies to stabilize bilateral trade and investment, expand cooperation in energy-saving and environmental sectors, information and communication technology, green economy and high-tech industries, as well as to cultivate new growth points. Wen proposed China and Japan to expand cooperation with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), push forward pragmatic cooperation between China, Japan and the ROK, and promote the multilateralization of the Chiang Mai Initiative and the construction of the Asian bond market, so as to push forward the regional integration process. Wen urged China and Japan to firmly oppose to trade protectionism, strengthen international financial regulation and seek positive results in the reform on the international financial system.

"While facing global challenges, we all countries should work hand in hand, and China will continue to play its positive and constructive role," Wen said. On the recent swine flu outbreaks in some countries, Wen said China had established a prevention and control mechanism in a timely manner, and would enhance information exchanges and cooperation with the international community to ensure the public's health and safety.

For his part, Aso said that Japan and China have important responsibility and influence for the peace, stability and development of Asia and the world. Aso pledged to work together with China to expand mutually beneficial cooperation and explore cooperation in energy saving and environment sectors as well as climate change. In the context of the global financial crisis, Japan and China should strengthen coordination, contribute jointly to the recovery of the Asian and world economies and enrich their strategic and mutually beneficial relations, Aso noted. Japan would cooperate with China in preventing the spread of the swine flu virus, he said.

Wen said China follows the road of peaceful development and pursues the mutually beneficial, win-win and open strategy. China would step up contact and coordination with Japan on regional and international affairs, in a bid to promote peace, harmony and prosperity of Asia and the world, he said. Wen also reiterated China's position and proposals on the East China Sea issue.

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission Zhang Ping, Minister of Finance Xie Xuren, Minister of Environment Protection Zhou Shengxian and Chinese Ambassador to Japan Cui Tiankai attended the talks.