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President Xi Jinping Meets with Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: October 31, 2025 23:55

On the afternoon of October 31, 2025 local time, President Xi Jinping had a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae upon request on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, the Republic of Korea.

President Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Japan are separated by only a strip of water and are important neighbors to each other. The sustained, sound and steady development of China-Japan relations meets the general expectation of the two peoples and the international community. China will work with Japan to uphold the principles and direction set out in the four China-Japan political documents, maintain the political foundation of the bilateral relations, move the strategic relationship of mutual benefit forward, and remain committed to building a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship fit for the new era.

President Xi Jinping stressed that the China-Japan relationship currently faces both opportunities and challenges. China hopes the new cabinet in Japan will establish a correct perception of China, honor the dedication and hard work by the older generations of leaders in both countries and people from different sectors of the two societies, and stay committed to the general direction of peace, friendship, and cooperation. First, the two countries should truly honor the important common understandings. Concrete actions should be taken to implement the political consensus that the two countries will "promote strategic relationship of mutual benefit in an all-round way," and they should be "partners, not threats" to each other and "learn lessons from history and look ahead to the future." The clear provisions laid out in the four political documents on major issues of principle such as history and the Taiwan question must be strictly followed and fulfilled, so that the foundation of China-Japan relations will stay sound and unshaken. The Murayama Statement is a serious introspection of Japan's history of aggression and makes apologies to victim countries. Its spirit should be honored. Second, the two countries should stay committed to win-win cooperation. The fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee has rolled out a blueprint for China's development in the 15th Five-Year Plan period. There is significant potential for cooperation between China and Japan. The two countries could strengthen partnerships in advanced manufacturing, the digital economy, green development, fiscal policies and finance, medical and elderly care services, and third-party markets, among other areas, and jointly uphold the multilateral trading system and stable and unimpeded industrial and supply chains. Third, the two countries should foster greater people-to-people ties. They need to have continued communication between governments, political parties and legislatures, and deepen and expand people-to-people and subnational exchanges to improve public sentiment. Fourth, the two countries should enhance coordination in multilateral affairs. They should uphold the principles of good neighborliness and friendship, equality and mutual benefit, and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, practice true multilateralism, and contribute to building an Asia Pacific community. Fifth, the two countries should properly handle differences. They should focus on the big picture, seek common ground while reserving differences, build consensus and manage disagreements, and make sure the relationship will not be defined by problems or differences.

Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae said that China is Japan's important neighbor. The two countries shoulder major responsibility for peace and prosperity in the region and the world. Japan would like to keep up high-level exchanges with China, step up interactions across all levels, strengthen communication, enhance mutual understanding and promote cooperation, so as to advance the strategic relationship of mutual benefit in solid steps and build a constructive and stable relationship between the two countries. On the Taiwan question, Japan will abide by its position stated in the 1972 Japan-China Joint Statement.

Cai Qi and Wang Yi, among others, were present at the meeting.