Xi meets Japan's PM, reaffirms position of peace and mutual benefit

President Xi Jinping highlighted the need for Beijing and Tokyo to reaffirm the positioning of their strategic relationship of mutual benefit and to add new dimensions to the relationship during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in San Francisco on Thursday.

The meeting took place one year after the two leaders met in Bangkok, when they were attending the 29th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.

Xi stressed in his opening remarks that the pursuit of peaceful coexistence, lasting friendship, win-win cooperation, and common development is in line with the fundamental interests of the people of China and Japan in the current international landscape.

Both sides should grasp the historical trend, follow the trend of the times, focus on common interests, properly handle differences and adhere to the principles set out in their four political documents, Xi said.

Both nations should commit to building China-Japan relations that meet the requirements of the new era, he added.

This year marks the 45th anniversary for the Treaty of Peace and Friendship Between China and Japan.

Xi said the treaty, established in a legal form, set the overall direction for bilateral peaceful cooperation, emphasizing opposition to hegemony and becoming a milestone in the history of bilateral relations.

Even though China-Japan relations have weathered storms, they have overall maintained positive momentum over the past 45 years. The relationship has brought benefits to the people of both countries and played a constructive role in promoting regional peace and development, he added.

Kishida said China and Japan, as neighboring countries with a shared long history, have the responsibility to follow the path of coexistence and mutual prosperity.

As major countries leading the region and the international community, they should contribute to global peace and stability, he added.