On the evening of May 8, 2018 local time, at the invitation of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan, Premier Li Keqiang arrived by special plane at the Haneda International Airport in Tokyo. He will attend the 7th Leaders' Meeting of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) as well as pay an official visit to Japan.
Li Keqiang stepped out of the cabin door and was greeted at the airport by State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi who had arrived earlier, Foreign Minister Taro Kono of Japan and H.E. Cheng Yonghua, Chinese Ambassador to Japan.
Li Keqiang said that under the current situation, China, Japan and the ROK, as three major economies in the world and important countries in the region, shoulder important responsibilities for safeguarding economic globalization and trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, leading the process of regional integration and maintaining regional peace and stability. It is expected that, at the 7th China-Japan-ROK Leaders' Meeting which is resumed after a hiatus of two and a half years, the three countries will enhance mutual trust and jointly seek cooperation, so as to make contributions to regional development, prosperity, peace and stability.
Li Keqiang pointed out that the current momentum of improvement in China-Japan relations has not come easily and is worth doubly cherishing. This year coincides with the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, and bilateral relations face important opportunities for improvement and development. The Chinese side hopes to, together with Japan, review the spirit of the Treaty, take history as a mirror and face up to the future through this visit. It is hoped that both countries will, on the basis of the principles set forth in the four political documents between China and Japan, make joint efforts and meet each other halfway, in a bid to promote China-Japan relations back to the normal track and for long-term and steady development.
On the sidelines of his attendance at the China-Japan-ROK Leaders' Meeting, Li Keqiang will jointly meet the press with the leaders of the ROK and Japan, attend and address the China-Japan-ROK Business Summit, and meet with President Moon Jae-in of the ROK.
During his stay in Japan, Li Keqiang will meet with Emperor Akihito of Japan, hold talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, attend the commemorative activities marking the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, and make extensive contacts with people from all walks of life of Japan. Li Keqiang will also travel to Hokkaido for a visit and attend the China-Japan governors' forum and other events together with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
It was after a successful conclusion of his official visit to Indonesia that Li Keqiang arrived in Tokyo. When Li Keqiang left Jakarta, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan of Indonesia and other senior government officials, H.E. Xiao Qian, Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia, H.E. Huang Xilian, Chinese Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and others saw him off at the airport.
Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Director of the National Development and Reform Commission He Lifeng and other delegation members arrived in Tokyo by the same plane.