On February 17, 2012, Jia Qinglin, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, met respectively with Romano Prodi, former president of the European Union Commission and former president of Italy, and the heads of seven Japan-China friendship groups including Koichi Kato, Yohei Kono, Takashi Tsujii, Masahiko Komura, Fujio Cho, Takeshi Noda and Satsuki Eda at the Great Hall of the People.

Jia spoke highly of Sino-Italian relations, saying the countries were successfully cooperating in the fields of politics, economy, culture, science and technology, environmental protection, and international affairs in recent years. Both sides have also maintained frequent high-level exchanges. China attaches great importance to developing friendly cooperative relations with Italy and is willing to work together with Italy to deepen and expand pragmatic cooperation in all fields and push bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level for the benefit of the two peoples.

Both sides also exchanged views on the current situation in Europe and the development of China-EU relations. "It conforms to the fundamental interests of China and Europe to cooperate hand-in-hand, jointly cope with challenges and seek common development," Jia said, adding it will also have an important impact on future development of the world. China will improve dialogue and cooperation with the European side in various fields, jointly expand substantial cooperation and boost mutual trust and friendship between the two peoples so as to push China-EU ties to a higher level, Jia said.

Prodi, in his turn, said Europe and China share broad common interests, and their relations have been developing continuously in recent years. The two sides should further dialogue and communication, enhance mutual trust and cooperation amid the global trend of multi-polarization. He said he expects Europe and China to resolve two major issues as early as possible, namely recognizing China's full market economy status and ending Europe's arms embargo against China, so as to pave the way for the long-term development of bilateral ties.

Minister Wang Jiarui and Deputy Minister Yu Hongjun of International Department of CPC Central Committee attended the meeting.

Jia extended warm welcome to the heads of seven Japan-China friendship groups for their visit on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral ties. Jia also spoke highly of the positive efforts and valuable contribution made by the seven Japan-China friendship groups for the development of relations between the two countries.

Jia said over the past four decades, exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in all fields have reached an unprecedented level. The development of Sino-Japanese cooperation has benefited both nations, as well as brought peace, stability and development to Asia and the world at large. The hard-won development outcome of bilateral relations is a result of the great efforts by the two governments and people with vision, and deserves to be cherished.

Jia said this year marks the 40th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan. Bilateral ties are now standing at a new starting point in history and facing important opportunities for development. China attaches importance to its relations with Japan and holds a friendly attitude toward the country, Jia said. China is willing to work with Japan to continue to comprehensively promote bilateral strategic and mutually beneficial relationship in accordance with the principles and spirit of the four political documents.

Jia made a ​​four-point proposal on further developing Sino-Japanese relations and promoting the friendship. First, both sides should firmly grasp the general direction for the development of Sino-Japanese relations and be committed to the lofty goal of peaceful coexistence, friendship for generations, mutually beneficial cooperation and common development. Second, both sides should vigorously strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation and continuously enrich the connotation of the Sino-Japanese strategic and mutually beneficial relationship. Third, both sides should carry forward the tradition of the Sino-Japanese friendship and take the year of exchange and friendship between Chinese and Japanese nationals as an opportunity to carry out exchange activities in various fields, set off a new upsurge in the Sino-Japanese cultural exchanges, enhance the friendly feelings between the two peoples and consolidate the public opinion basis of bilateral relations. Fourth, both sides should properly handle contradictions and differences to maintain the overall situation of Sino-Japanese relations.

The Japanese guests briefed on the friendly exchanges of their own groups with China, saying that they will as always uphold the spirit of Japan-China friendship, take the opportunity of the 40th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations and promote bilateral friendly exchanges and cooperation in various fields, so as to contribute to promoting mutual understanding between both peoples and boosting the in-depth development of China-Japan strategic and mutually beneficial relations.

Also present at the meeting were Tang Jiaxuan, honorary advisor to the China-Japan Friendship Association (CJFA), Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun, Deputy Chairman of All China Federation of Trade Unions Wang Yupu, First Secretary Lu Hao of the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China, Deputy Secretary General of the CPPCC Wang Shenghong, Vice President of the All-China Women's Federation Meng Xiaosi, Jing Dunquan, Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Wang Jinzhen, Vice Chairman of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade and other responsible officials, as well as Japanese Ambassador to China Uichiro Niwa.