On February 22, 2023, Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong, who was in Tokyo for the 17th China-Japan security dialogue and the 29th regular consultation between the two country’s foreign ministries, met with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi.

Sun Weidong expressed that this year marks the 45th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship. The two sides should take stock of the inspirations of the Treaty, carry forward the positive effects of high-level exchanges, properly manage and handle differences and disputes, defend and deepen cooperation in various fields, translate into concrete actions the important political common understanding that the two countries are cooperative partners posing no threat to each other, and remain committed to a China-Japan relationship that meets the requirements of the new era. The current international order is undergoing drastic changes. Some countries are abusing, threatening and bullying others with unilateral sanctions and other means. They also try to form cliques in the Cold War mentality. Hope Japan will follow the common interests of countries in the region including Japan itself, safeguard China-Japan mutually beneficial cooperation, maintain stable and unimpeded regional industrial and supply chains, reject division and confrontation, and advocate solidarity and cooperation, so as to make Asia a promising land of peaceful development rather than a front line of bloc confrontation.

Yoshimasa Hayashi said that the consultation and dialogue this time between Japan and China are substantive. The relations between the two countries enjoy great potential for development but also face various problems. Since last year, the two sides have maintained sound momentum of high-level exchanges. He expressed the hope that both sides will strengthen dialogue and communication, jointly promote the development of bilateral relations, and shoulder more important responsibility for peace and stability in the region and the world at large.