China-Japan relations

I think China-Japan relations have bright prospects and major opportunities. The two countries should work together to push forward the strategic relationship of mutual benefit. We should jointly increase strategic input to our bilateral relations and have closer cooperation and communication at the bilateral, regional and global levels. We also see great potential in practical cooperation.

I want to underline that, in addition to traditional areas of cooperation, we have new opportunities for cooperation in energy, the environment, the circular economy and high and new technologies. These are emerging industries of strategic importance and there is huge potential for our cooperation in these areas. China and Japan are both Asian countries and we should work together to contribute to the revitaliz ation of Asia.

China and Japan are neighbours who face each other across a narrow strip of water. We have always maintained that differences between our two countries over the East China Sea should be handled through consultation and negotiation in order to uphold both our strategic relationship of mutual benefit and the fundamental interests of the people of both countries. China's attitude is positive, not negative.

China and Japan have reached a principled common understanding on the issue of the East China Sea. This is the result of long-term efforts from both sides and was not attained easily. It should be cherished. I believe both countries should observe the spirit of the principled common understanding on the East China Sea and work to foster favourable conditions for its implementation, so as to turn the East China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.