On the afternoon of April 9, 2018, Premier Li Keqiang met at the Great Hall of the People with President of Japanese Association for the Promotion of International Trade Yohei Kono and delegation members of the Association.
Li Keqiang expressed that China-Japan relations have kept a momentum of sound improvement in general recently. There have been quite a few positive interactions between the two countries, but some challenges still exist. Both sides should cherish the sound momentum, maintain the foresight and stay focused, and create a favorable atmosphere for bilateral high-level exchanges and the returning of bilateral relations to the healthy track.
Li Keqiang pointed out that this year coincides with the 40th anniversary of the signing of China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship. It is hoped that Japan will meet China halfway, abide by the principles of four political documents between the two countries, take history as a mirror and face up to the future, review the spirit of the treaty, safeguard the political foundation of bilateral relations, and focus on the interests and well-being of the two peoples, in a bid to promote China-Japan relations for constant improvement and development in a right direction.
Li Keqiang stressed that under the background of complex changes in current international situation, China advocates multilateralism, and supports the maintenance of multilateral trade system and promotion of trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. China will continue pushing forward reform, and the door of opening up will be wider. China will handle well its own business and strive to keep the current stable and sound momentum of China's economy. China welcomes foreign enterprises including those of Japan to invest in China to jointly create development opportunities and achieve mutual benefit and win-win results.
Yohei Kono expressed that this year is of great significance since it marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of Japan-China Treaty of Peace and Friendship as well as the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up. The business community of Japan welcomes the continuous improvement of Japan-China relations, stands ready to make positive contributions to the friendly relations of the two countries, and expects Premier Li Keqiang's official visit to Japan and his attendance at the leaders' meeting of Japan, China and the Republic of Korea.