On October 19, 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 delivered a video speech at the opening ceremony of the 19th Beijing-Tokyo Forum.

Wang Yi said that the two sides will soon celebrate the 45th anniversary of the entry into effect of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship. The older generation of leaders of the two countries used their strategic vision and political wisdom to confirm the development of lasting peace and friendship between China and Japan as a common target in the form of law. A series of core contents stipulated in the Treaty, such as abiding by the principles of the Joint Statement between China and Japan, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, and opposition to any country seeking hegemony, are the fundamental guidance to deal with China-Japan relations till today, and are also of relevant guiding significance to handling risks and challenges facing the world today.

Wang Yi said that China and Japan are both important countries in Asia and the world at large, and share extensive common interests and broad space for cooperation, and peace, friendship and cooperation are the only right choice for the two sides. The current China-Japan relations are faced with complex and grave situations, consisting of long-existed issues and new challenges of external interference. The two sides should take the opportunity of commemorating the 45th anniversary of concluding the Treaty to act upon the original aspiration, uphold fundamental principles and break new ground, shoulder the historical mission of carrying forward China-Japan peace and friendship, and make relentless efforts to promote the building of a China-Japan relationship that meets the requirements of the new era.

Wang Yi made a five-point proposal on growing China-Japan relations.

First, act upon the pledge and deliver on the promise to consolidate the political foundation of relations between the two countries. The four political documents between China and Japan are the political foundation of relations between the two countries, and the core is the important understanding and common understandings reached by the two sides on such important sensitive issues as history and the Taiwan question. Only when the two sides value the trust and remain committed to their pledge will relations between the two countries develop successfully; otherwise, bilateral relations will deviate from the right track and be led astray. Wang Yi expressed the hope that Japan will get back to the original aspiration of concluding the Treaty, correct its perception of China, and earnestly translate into policy and action the political consensus that the two countries should "be partners, not threats."

Second, expand cooperation to realize higher-level mutual benefits and win-win results. The economic interests of China and Japan are deeply integrated, and mutually beneficial cooperation has yielded fruitful outcomes. China is now actively advancing high-quality development and high-standard opening up, which brings more new opportunities to China-Japan economic and trade cooperation. Cooperation between the two sides should be fair and open, and should not set a man-made limit with the excuse of "economic security", nor should it be distorted to decouple and sever industrial and supply chains that are harmful to both sides.

Third, properly manage differences to keep to the right direction of relations between the two countries. China and Japan have different social systems and national conditions. The key is to treat each other with sincerity, increase mutual trust and relieve doubt, and avoid defining or even undermining relations between the two countries with differences. The two sides should abide by the four-point principled consensus that has been reached, strengthen dialogue, manage differences, enhance cooperation and seek peace. Wang Yi expressed the hope that Japan will take seriously the opposition to and concerns at home and abroad over the discharge of Fukushima nuclear-contaminated water, and properly handle it in a responsible manner.

Fourth, reinvigorate friendship to improve the public support for relations between the two countries. The national sentiment in both China and Japan has continuously been low in recent years, and the two countries must attach great importance to that and jointly turn the tide. The more dissatisfying bilateral relations, the more necessary it is for the two sides to carry forward the tradition of promoting official relations through people-to-people exchanges, and let the people of the two countries, in particular the young generation, carry out more face-to-face exchanges, so as to increase mutual understanding and trust, foster solid public support for the development of China-Japan relations, and promote China-Japan friendship to restore and develop.

Fifth, strengthen coordination to safeguard regional peace and stability. China and Japan, as important countries in the region and the world at large, should safeguard solidarity and cooperation in Asia, jointly promote the high-quality implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, and lead regional cooperation and integration process in Asia. The two countries should advocate true multilateralism, act upon open regionalism, jointly oppose any attempt to seek a new Cold War and small cliques, and inject more positive energy into the region and the world.

Wang Yi appreciated the role of the Beijing-Tokyo Forum as an important platform, and encouraged guests to pool their thoughts, propose suggestions, and take concrete actions to promote peace, friendship and cooperation between China and Japan, and make greater contribution to the steady and sustained development of relations between the two countries.

Founded in 2005, the Beijing-Tokyo Forum is held annually, and is an important platform for official and public interactions and exchanges between China and Japan. The theme of the Forum this year is "Asian Stability and World Peace and Cooperation: Thoughts on the Responsibility of China and Japan and the 45th Anniversary of Concluding the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship." Foreign Minister of Japan Kamikawa Yoko delivered a video speech, and former Prime Minister of Japan Fukuda Yasuo, among others, was present.