Tokyo, May 29th—Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, attended and addressed here today a dialogue themed on China-Japan relations in a world with profound changes. Organized by the Japan-China Society, the dialogue attracted over 200 participants, including Takeshi Noda, President of the Japan-China Society, officials of Japan-China Friendship Center, Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians' Union, Japan-China Friendship Association, Japan International Trade Promotion Association, Japan-China Cultural Exchange Association and Japan-China Economic Association, and representatives from political, academic, business, and media sectors.  

Liu said, today, changes in the world, in our times and in history are unfolding in ways like never before, and global challenges keep flaring up. As the world's most populous and economically dynamic region, Asia remains relatively stable, but negative trends such as " confrontation between blocs", "building high fences around a small yard", "decoupling and cutting off supply chains" are growing, which cast a shadow on the grand vision of Asia's development and revitalization. China and Japan, both important countries in the world and the two largest economies in Asia, should work hand in hand to overcome difficulties. However, the relationship between the two countries has experienced ups and downs in recent years. The future of China-Japan relations is a major issue that people of insight from all walks of life in the two countries must face and think about.  

Liu said, last November, General Secretary Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida met in San Francisco and once again jointly confirmed advancing the Japan-China strategic relationship of mutual benefit in an all-round way, providing political guidance for the improvement and development of bilateral relations. Whether the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries can be implemented is related to the future and destiny of China-Japan relations and the two peoples.  

He said both China and Japan should form the right perception and move forward together. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. Through 70 years, the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence have become an important norm governing contemporary international relations. China is an active advocate and faithful practitioner of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence. It is also the only country in the world that has included the commitment to peaceful development into China's Constitution and the Constitution of its ruling party. China's prosperity is the result of the hard work of the Chinese people. China has not and will not follow the old path of colonization and plunder, nor the crooked path taken by some countries to seek hegemony once they grow strong. China hopes to share development opportunities with Japan and other countries in the world and promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. It is hoped that Japan will maintain strategic autonomy, establish a positive and friendly perception of China, and continue to be China's partner in maintaining world peace, stability, development and prosperity.  

He called on the two sides to seek common development and contribute to each other's successes. China and Japan both benefit from and advocate economic globalization and trade liberalization. The two countries' economic and trade interests and production and supply chains are deeply integrated. The development of China and Japan will provide new opportunities for each other. At present, China is promoting in-depth reform and high-quality development with high-level opening up, which will provide a broader market space for the world, especially neighboring countries, and bring more opportunities for win-win cooperation. Japan is welcome to continue to actively participate in the process of China's modernization and share development opportunities. China is willing to work with Japan and relevant countries to adhere to openness, progress, inclusiveness, fulfill the responsibilities of a major country and play a positive role in promoting regional and world development.  

Both sides should cherish peace and uphold credibility. Next year will be the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Over the past 80 years, peaceful development has created conditions for Japan to gain the understanding of its Asian neighbors and the international community, and is also the basis for Japan to achieve development and revitalization after the war. It is hoped that Japan will continue to follow the path of a "peaceful country". China and Japan should jointly adhere to the bottom line of peaceful coexistence, oppose attempts to create ideological confrontation and geopolitical conflicts, and oppose picking sides and bloc confrontation, to ensure the flame of peace can be passed on from generation to generation. China will unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development and is willing to work with Asian countries including Japan to maintain regional peace and stability and achieve common development. The Taiwan question is the core of the core interests of China and the bedrock of the political foundation of China-Japan relations. It is hoped that the Japanese side will have a clear understanding of the extreme sensitivity of the Taiwan question, and take practical actions to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.  

The two sides should exchange and learn from each other to transcend confrontation. The two countries have witnessed vibrant exchanges over the past millennium, and share many common cultural elements. The fruitful results of the exchanges and mutual learning between the two civilizations are worth cherishing and carrying forward. China and Japan should further strengthen exchanges and mutual learning, tighten cultural ties, and make the spiritual resonance between the two peoples a solid foundation for bilateral relations. The two sides should adopt a higher perspective, bear the world in mind, promote the common values of mankind, advocate the coexistence of different countries and different civilizations, and contribute wisdom and strength to helping the world transcend ideological confrontation and avoid the trap of "clash of civilizations".  

Liu said, at this crucial stage of building on past achievements and working for fresh progress, we should place our hopes on the people and the youth, promote frequent exchanges between the two peoples, and create favorable conditions for enhancing mutual understanding and friendly feelings. More Japanese political parties and politicians are welcome to visit China. We are willing to provide support for non-governmental exchanges between youth, media, think tanks, and local governments of the two countries, so as to help China-Japan friendship keep pace with the times and take root in the hearts of the people.  

During the Q&A session, Liu answered questions from the audience and elaborated on China's foreign policy, the business environment for foreign companies in China, Japanese public opinion on China, Japan-China cultural exchanges, the Taiwan question and China-US relations.