Reception held in Tokyo to mark 45th anniversary of China-Japan peace, friendship treaty

Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao speaks during a reception commemorating the 45th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship in Tokyo, Japan, Oct. 23, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Dan)

The Treaty of Peace and Friendship Between China and Japan has charted the course for peaceful coexistence and everlasting friendship between the two countries, Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao said at a reception commemorating the 45th anniversary of signing the treaty.

TOKYO, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- A reception commemorating the 45th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship was held on Monday in Tokyo, with over 1,000 people from Japanese political and economic circles and friendly organizations attending the event.

Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao delivered a speech at the ceremony, noting that the Treaty of Peace and Friendship Between China and Japan, in legal terms, has charted the course for peaceful coexistence and everlasting friendship between the two countries and stipulated responsibilities and obligations such as non-interference in each other's internal affairs, the use of peaceful means to resolve all disputes, and opposition to any country's pursuit of hegemony, and has become a common guideline for both sides in the development of bilateral relations.

Standing at a new starting point, the two sides should abide by the spirit of the treaty, earnestly honor their promises, strictly implement the principles and obligations set forth in the four political documents between China and Japan, and take the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries as guidance to jointly build China-Japan relations that meet the requirements of the new era, the ambassador added.

Toshihiro Nikai, member of the Japanese House of Representatives and chairman of the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians' Union, speaks during a reception commemorating the 45th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship in Tokyo, Japan, Oct. 23, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Dan)

Masakazu Tokura, chairman of the Japan Business Federation, the country's most powerful business lobby better known as Keidanren, said that 45 years ago on this day, the ceremony for the exchange of instruments of ratification of the treaty was held in Tokyo for the treaty to officially enter into effect.

Over the past 45 years, the two countries have maintained active exchanges in various fields and achieved fruitful results, Tokura said, adding that at present, Japan and China urgently need to enhance mutual understanding through dialogue and effectively solve problems.

In her speech, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa reviewed her many friendly visits to China and expressed her hopes that the two countries will jointly accelerate the building of constructive and stable Japan-China relations through extensive and multilayered exchanges.

Toshihiro Nikai, member of the Japanese House of Representatives and chairman of the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians' Union, said that he hopes everyone can relive the original intention of the older generation of leaders from both countries when they concluded the treaty and jointly face the current issues facing the relations between the two countries. ■