China's Top Diplomat Holds High-Level Meeting with Japanese Trade Association President to Boost Bilateral Economic Ties

China’s top diplomat Wang Yi held talks in Beijing on Wednesday with Yohei Kono, president of the Japanese Association for the Promotion of International Trade (JAPIT), as the two sides sought to reinforce the importance of bilateral ties and historical understanding between their nations.

During the meeting, Wang Yi, who serves both as a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and as director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, praised Kono’s longstanding dedication to fostering China-Japan friendship. Highlighting the complex international landscape, Wang emphasized that expanding people-to-people exchanges is critical to steadying bilateral relations and supporting mutual prosperity.

Wang Yi also underscored China’s positive response to a recent statement by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who asserted that Japan must “draw profound lessons from history” and ensure it does not repeat the mistakes of aggression. Wang remarked, “History cannot be tampered with,” and insisted that only by earnestly reflecting on and learning from history can both countries build a lasting, peaceful future together.

Echoing these sentiments, Yohei Kono stressed that historical truths must neither be forgotten nor denied. Acknowledging that the past cannot be changed, Kono offered the view that future cooperation and reconciliation depend on present-day efforts. He reaffirmed JAPIT’s willingness to continue as a bridge for friendly exchanges and economic collaboration between Japan and China.

The exchange comes at a time when both Beijing and Tokyo are navigating regional challenges and seeking ways to stabilize ties amid shifting global dynamics. The commitment from both parties to deepen dialogue and enhance mutual understanding was seen as a constructive move towards greater trust and practical cooperation.