China, Japan agree to enhance political mutual trust, promote economic cooperation

2018-05-10
Xinhua

TOKYO — Premier Li Keqiang and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on May 9 agreed to enhance political mutual trust and step up economic cooperation between the two countries.

Improving and developing China-Japan relations is in the interest of both sides and conducive to regional peace, stability and prosperity, Premier Li said at a joint news conference following a meeting with Abe.

Noting that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, Premier Li urged the two sides to review the spirit of the treaty, consolidate the political foundation of bilateral relations, and push forward steady and long-term development of China-Japan ties down the path of peace, friendship and cooperation.

The two sides have confirmed their willingness to abide by all the principles set out in their four cornerstone political documents, properly handle sensitive issues concerning history and Taiwan, and, through practical actions, demonstrate the political consensus of treating each other as partners instead of threats, Premier Li told reporters.

The four documents refer to the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement, the 1978 China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, the 1998 China-Japan Joint Declaration, and the 2008 joint statement on advancing strategic and mutually beneficial relations.

Premier Li said the two sides have agreed to promote economic cooperation while strengthening political mutual trust, and enhance cooperation in the areas of finance, energy conservation, environmental protection, high technologies, sharing economy, healthcare and elderly care, as well as cooperation at local levels.

The two sides have also agreed to establish a mechanism facilitating their cooperation in third-party markets, so as to boost their international competitiveness, he said.

For his part, Abe expressed warm welcome to Premier Li for his official visit to Japan.

Bilateral relations have been moving forward thanks to efforts made by both sides since opportunities of improvement emerged last year, Abe said.

He added that among many other consensuses, the two sides have agreed to establish a maritime and air liaison mechanism to jointly manage and control maritime crises and turn the East China Sea into a sea of peace, cooperation and friendship.

They have also reached new agreements on expanding investment cooperation, conducting cooperation in third-party markets, and coproducing movies, Abe said, adding that Japan is willing to work with China to maintain the healthy and stable development of bilateral ties.

Premier Li arrived in Tokyo on May 8 for an official visit to Japan and the seventh China-Japan-South Korea leaders’ meeting. The trilateral mechanism was resumed after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus.