Xi Jinping Meets with Special Envoy of Prime Minister Toshihiro Nikai of Japan

On April 24, 2019, President Xi Jinping met with Special Envoy of Prime Minister and Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party Toshihiro Nikai of Japan at the Great Hall of the People.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China-Japan relations are back on normal track and gaining positive momentum at present. The two sides should abide by the principles affirmed in the four China-Japan political documents, adhere to the general direction of peace and friendship, continue to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations. The two countries should implement their political consensus that "they never pose a threat to each other" and "they are cooperative partners supporting each other's peaceful development," and push bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields to a new level. The two sides should tap into the potential for cooperation. The Chinese side welcomes the Japanese side's continued and in-depth participation in China's reform and opening up, and hopes that the Japanese side will play a more active role in jointly building the Belt and Road Initiative. The two sides should strengthen communication and coordination, jointly uphold multilateralism and free trade, and promote the building of an open world economy. The Chinese side supports the Japanese side in well hosting the G20 Osaka Summit. As this year is the China-Japan Youth Exchange Promotion Year, the two sides should sow the seeds of friendship among the people of the two countries, especially among the youth, to promote people-to-people ties.

Toshihiro Nikai delivered a letter signed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Xi Jinping, and said it is gratifying that Japan-China relations are back on track. I am deeply touched by President Xi Jinping's views on bilateral relations. The Belt and Road Initiative put forward by President Xi Jinping is a grand vision with great potential. The Japanese side speaks highly of China's important contributions to the world and the region through this initiative. As the special envoy of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, I travel to China to attend the second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. The Japanese side is willing to strengthen cooperation with the Chinese side in this regard and support extensive exchanges between various sectors of the two countries, especially among the youth.

Xi Jinping accepted Shinzo Abe's letter and asked Toshihiro Nikai to convey his regards to Shinzo Abe.

Ding Xuexiang, Yang Jiechi, Wang Yi and He Lifeng attended the meeting.