Dateline: Nov 16, 2023
Location: United States;
Duration: 2’18
Source: China Central Television (CCTV)
Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland
Published: 2023-11-17 21:10
Last Modified: 2023-11-18 01:36
Shotlist
San Francisco, USA – Nov 16, 2023 (CCTV – No access Chinese mainland)
1. Chinese President Xi Jinping (R), Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (L) shaking hands, posing for photos
2. Various of meeting between Xi, Kishida in progress; officials of both sides; national flags of China, Japan
Storyline
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in San Francisco of the United States on Thursday, reaffirming the positioning of comprehensively advancing the strategic and mutually beneficial relations between China and Japan.
During their meeting, Xi said this year marks the 45th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, which codifies the general direction for the bilateral ties featuring peace, friendship and cooperation, serving as a significant milestone in the development of China-Japan relations.
Under the guidance of the four political documents between China and Japan, including the Treaty, the bilateral relations have maintained a momentum of development over the past 45 years, despite going through ups and downs, Xi said, adding that this has brought benefits to the two peoples and played a positive role in promoting regional peace, development and prosperity.
Noting that the current world is faced with changes and disorders, risks and challenges, Xi said peaceful coexistence, everlasting friendship, mutually beneficial cooperation and common development between China and Japan serve the fundamental interests of the two peoples.
Xi pointed out that at present, the China-Japan relationship is at a critical juncture of connecting the past with the future. The two sides, upholding the spirit of taking history as a mirror to open up a brighter future, should cling to the original aspiration of both sides in normalizing diplomatic relations in 1972, foster positive and friendly mutual cognition, manage differences in a constructive manner, and translate into concrete policies and actions the political consensus that the two countries should “be partners, not threat”.
Xi stressed that major issues of principle related to history and Taiwan bear on the political foundation of China-Japan relations, and Japan must abide by its commitment to ensure that the foundation of bilateral relations will not be damaged or shaken.
The economic interests of China and Japan, as well as their industrial and supply chains are deeply intertwined, Xi said, adding it is in no one’s interest to engage in “small yard, high fence” and “decoupling and breaking chains”.
China is pursuing high-quality development and high-level opening-up, which will bring unprecedented opportunities to other countries in the world including Japan, said the Chinese president.
According to Xi, the two sides should deepen cooperation, help each other, take credible steps to defend the global free trade system, and achieve higher-standard mutual benefit and win-win cooperation.
Proceeding from a higher position and a broader vision, the two countries should promote the Asian values centered on peace, cooperation, inclusiveness and integration, practice true multilateralism, advance open regionalism, promote regional integration, and jointly tackle global challenges, Xi said.
Xi also urged the Japanese side to properly handle the discharge of the nuclear-contaminated wastewater from the Fukushima power plant in a responsible and constructive manner.
Xi said the issue concerns the health of all humankind, the global marine environment and the international public interest, calling on Japan to take seriously the legitimate concerns at home and abroad on the issue.
For his part, Kishida said that on the important occasion of the 45th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, the two peoples deeply reflect on the efforts made by the older generation of leaders on both sides to promote the development of bilateral ties in a wide range of fields.
As the international community is now at a historic turning point, Japan expects to strengthen high-level communication and dialogue with China, add positive factors to bilateral relations, and adhere to peaceful coexistence, he said.
Kishida said Japan has no intention to “decouple ” with China, and hopes to continuously promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges with China, and deepen practical cooperation in digital economy, green development, finance, medical services, and elderly care.
He noted that Japan will remain committed to the path of peaceful development and Japan’s position on handling the Taiwan question is by no means different from its commitments made in the Japan-China Joint Statement.
The two sides spoke highly of the newly established dialogue mechanism for export controls, agreed to maintain dialogue and communication at all levels, and find appropriate time to hold China-Japan High-level Economic Dialogue and meeting of the high-level consultation mechanism on people-to-people and cultural exchanges.
They agreed to maintain communication and coordination on international and regional affairs, and jointly address climate change and other global challenges.
With a constructive attitude, both sides agreed to find an appropriate solution to the discharge of the nuclear-contaminated wastewater through consultation and negotiation.
The two sides also exchanged views on other international and regional issues of common concern.
