On July 6, 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 met with President of the Japanese Association for the Promotion of International Trade (JAPIT) Yohei Kono in Beijing.

Noting that this year marks the 45th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, Wang Yi said that the bilateral relationship is at a new critical juncture. A Chinese saying embodying Eastern philosophy goes, "upholding fundamental principles and breaking new ground". When it comes to China-Japan relations, "upholding fundamental principles" means adhering to the principles enshrined in the four political documents, consolidating the political foundation for the sound development of bilateral relations, drawing lessons from the past and looking into the future, and following the path of peaceful development. "Breaking new ground", which is based on "upholding fundamental principles", indicates building a China-Japan relationship that answers the call of the new era, steering clear of external disruptions, properly implementing the political consensus that the two countries are cooperative partners posing no threat to each other, and jointly maintaining the hard-won peace and stability in Asia. Japan has taken a series of negative moves on the Taiwan question in recent years, with some people trumpeting that "any contingency for Taiwan is a contingency for Japan". That is ridiculous and dangerous and all walks of life in Japan should stay on high alert. China hopes that Mr. Kono and JAPIT will carry forward the fine tradition, strengthen confidence in cooperation, oppose decoupling and severing supply chains, and make new contributions to improving and developing China-Japan relations.

Yohei Kono noted the long journey of Japan-China relations, saying that cooperation has brought benefits to both sides and that he will never forget the shock and the pleasant surprise when the two countries realized the normalization of diplomatic relations. The history should not be forgotten, the sentiment of those years should be carried forward, and the commitments made should be honored. Bearing in mind long-term objectives, the two countries can find ways to overcome difficulties. The business community generally disagrees with politicizing economic issues, and the move of decoupling and severing supply chains serves no one's interests. He said that this visit to China has left him with a new understanding of the country's development momentum and vitality. The two sides should make joint efforts to improve and develop Japan-China relations and promote Asian cooperation.