On January 15, the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the China-Japan Friendship Association (CJFA) hosted a banquet in Beijing to welcome the delegation of Japan's ruling coalition attending the 9th Meeting of China-Japan Ruling Parties Exchange Mechanism. The event was attended by Cheng Yonghua, Executive Vice President of the CJFA; Yuan Mindao, Vice President of the CPAFFC; Moriyama Hiroshi, Secretary General of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party; Nishida Makoto, Secretary General of Japan's Komeito Party; Kanasugi Kenji, Japanese Ambassador to China, and key members of the Japanese delegation.
In his speech, Cheng welcomed the visit of the delegation from Japan's ruling coalition and conveyed greetings from CJFA President Tang Jiaxuan and CPAFFC President Yang Wanming. He mentioned that Chinese President Xi Jinping had met with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru in Lima last November, during which they reached important consensus on comprehensively advancing the strategic relationship of mutual benefit and working toward building a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship that meets the requirements of the new era. This meeting has provided direction for the future of China-Japan relations. Cheng expressed confidence that the delegation's visit would further deepen and substantiate exchanges and cooperation between the two countries on all fronts, ensuring the steady and sustained growth of bilateral relations.
Moriyama Hiroshi thanked the CPAFFC for inviting him to visit China twice last year and for the thoughtful and detailed arrangements made for his visit. He emphasized that Japan and China are important neighbors, and during this visit, both sides reached positive consensus on enhancing political mutual trust and deepening people-to-people exchanges, especially among youth. The Japanese side is committed to working with China to abide by the principles established in the four political documents between the two countries, continuing to cement the political foundation of bilateral ties, vigorously conducting exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and advancing the continuous improvement and development of Japan-China relations.
Nishida Makoto stated that strengthening people-to-people and youth exchanges between the two countries is crucial for the maintenance and development of Japan-China relations. He praised the CPAFFC for its long-standing active involvement in facilitating exchanges in relevant fields, including the annual exchange and mutual visit programs between young people from China and Japan. The CPAFFC has also hosted cultural and artistic events, such as the dance drama Crested Ibises and the China National Acrobatic Troupe's tour to Japan, which have been well received by the people of both countries. The Komeito Party, he noted, will continue to advance exchanges and cooperation with the Chinese side across all relevant areas, contributing positively to the cause of friendship between the two countries.
In his toast, Yuan Mindao congratulated the delegation on the success of their visit to China and noted that China-Japan relations are currently in a critical period of improvement and development. He expressed his hope that the delegation's visit would inject new momentum into efforts to enhance political mutual trust, expand cultural exchanges, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and continue improving bilateral relations. The CPAFFC and the CJFA are committed to working with all circles in both China and Japan to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, build more bridges of people-to-people exchanges, practical cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and youth friendship, and promote greater understanding and amity between the two peoples, working together to launch a new wave of exchanges and cooperation in all areas.
Cheng Haibo, Vice President and Secretary General of the CJFA; Zhu Dan, Director-General of the CPAFFC Department of East Asian Affairs; and Du Dingding, Deputy Director-General of the Bureau II (Northeast Asian and Indochina Affairs) at the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, also attended the event.
