Press Release
Joint Statement between the Government of Japan and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on comprehensive Promotion of a "Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests"
Embassy of Japan
In response to an invitation extended by the Government of Japan, President Hu Jintao of the People’s Republic of China made an official visit to Japan as a state guest from May 6 to May 10. Japanese Prime Minister Fukuda and President Hu had reached a common understanding on various points related to the comprehensive promotion of a “mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests” and issued a joint statement. The excerpt of the joint statement follows;
1. The two sides recognized that the Japan-China relationship is one of the most important bilateral relationships for each of the two countries and that Japan and China now have great influence on and bear a solemn responsibility for peace, stability, and development of the Asia-Pacific region and the world. They also recognized that the two countries' sole option is to cooperate to enhance peace and friendship over the long term. The two sides resolved to comprehensively promote a "mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests" and to achieve the noble objectives of peaceful coexistence, friendship for generations, mutually beneficial cooperation, and common development for their two nations. 2. The two sides again stated that the Joint Communique of the Government of Japan and the Government of the People's Republic of China issued on September 29, 1972, the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and the People's Republic of China signed on August 12, 1978, and the Japan-China Joint Declaration issued on November 26, 1998, are the political foundation for advancing the Japan-China relationship in a stable fashion and forging the future of the relationship. The leaders confirmed that they would continue to observe the principles enunciated in the three documents. Moreover, both sides confirmed that they would continue to uphold and fully implement the common views enunciated in the Japan-China Joint Press Statements of October 8, 2006 and April 11, 2007. 3. The two sides resolved to face history squarely, advance toward the future, and endeavor with persistence to create a new era of a "mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests" between Japan and China. They announced that they would align Japan-China relations with the trends of international community and together forge a bright future for the Asia-Pacific region and the world while deepening mutual understanding, building mutual trust, and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation between their nations in an ongoing fashion into the future. 4. The two sides recognized that they are partners who cooperate together and are not threats to each other. The two sides again stated that they would support each other's peaceful development, and they shared the conviction that Japan and China, that uphold the course to peaceful development, would bring great opportunities and benefits to Asia and the world. (1) The Japanese side expressed its positive evaluation of the fact that China's development since the start of reform and open policy, saying China's development has offered great opportunities for the international community including Japan. The Japanese side stated its support of China's resolve to contribute to the building of a world that fosters lasting peace and common prosperity. (2) The Chinese side expressed its positive evaluation of Japan's consistent pursuit of the path of a peaceful country and Japan's contribution to the peace and stability of the world through peaceful means over more than sixty years since World War II. The two sides agreed to strengthen dialogue and communication on the issue of United Nations reform and to work toward enhancing common understanding with each other on this matter. The Chinese side attaches importance to Japan's position and role in the United Nations and desires Japan to play an even greater constructive role in the international community. (3) Both sides stated that they would resolve bilateral issues through consultations and negotiations. 5. Regarding the Taiwan issue, the Japanese side again expressed its adherence to the position enunciated in the Joint Communiqué of the Government of Japan and the Government of the People's Republic of China. 6. Both sides resolved to cooperate together while building frameworks for dialogue and cooperation, cooperate together based on the five pillars: (1) Enhancement of mutual trust in the political area (2) Promotion of people-to-people and cultural exchange as well as sentiments of friendship between the people of Japan and China (3) Enhancement of mutually beneficial cooperation (4) Contribution to the Asia-Pacific region (5) Contribution to the resolution of global issues
The transcript of the entire statement is available at: http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/china/index.html
[Related links] *Japan-China Relationships (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan’s website) http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/china/index.html
*Visit by Prime Minister Fukuda to the People’s Republic of China (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan’s website)
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