Li, Abe exchange congratulatory notes on 45th anniversary of normalization of ties

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Friday exchanged congratulatory messages with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to mark the 45th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral relations, with both hoping for the stable development of the ties.

National flags of China and Japan [File Photo: VCG]

In his message, Li said the current circumstances present new opportunities as well as challenges to China-Japan relations.

Saying China attaches importance to its ties with Japan, Li expressed the hope that Japan can meet China halfway to jointly safeguard the political foundation of their relations and properly manage and control their contradictions and differences in the spirit of learning from history while looking to the future.

Li also said since China and Japan normalized their relations 45 years ago, the two countries have signed four political documents and reached a four-point consensus. They have also deepened exchanges and cooperation in various fields, thanks to the efforts by the two governments and "far-sighted people", bringing benefits to the people of both countries and boosting regional and global prosperity and stability.

The hard-won results in the development of bilateral relations should be highly valued, Li added.

Abe said Japan is willing to commemorate the 45th anniversary with China, conduct cooperation, and bear in mind the overall situation. Japan is ready to boost bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields so as to forge a stable and friendly bilateral relationship.

On Thursday, Abe attended a ceremony at the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo, marking China's upcoming National Day.

Cheng Yonghua, the Chinese ambassador to Japan, said at the ceremony that the bilateral relationship is improving. But it still faces some sensitive and complicated factors.

Cheng hoped that both sides can focus on long-term and larger interests to safeguard the political foundations for bilateral ties. He also hoped they can implement with concrete actions the important consensus that China and Japan are cooperative partners rather than threats and shall support each other's peaceful development.

The ambassador urged both sides to enhance political mutual trust, control and address differences, and develop the bilateral relationship in the right direction.

Abe said cooperation between Japan and China is not only important to both countries, but also indispensable to peace and prosperity of Asia and even the world.

He said he is willing to make efforts to promote the development of a strategic and mutually beneficial bilateral relationship.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday that China expects more good news on its relations with Japan in the future.

Wang made the remark when he met with the Japanese Ambassador to China Yokoi Yutaka.

Wang said China-Japan relations have overcome a number of difficulties and made significant progress.

"To further develop bilateral ties is the responsibility of both sides," he said.

China hopes that the Japanese government can have a more positive policy towards China, and do more to promote bilateral cooperation, to achieve good interaction between the two sides, rather than taking one step forward and then one or even two steps back, Wang said.

Yutaka said Abe's attendance at the ceremony showed Japan's willingness to improve ties with China.