Chinese Premier Holds Talks with Japanese Business Delegation to Boost Economic Cooperation

Chinese Premier Li Qiang held a significant meeting on Tuesday in Beijing with a Japanese business delegation headed by Yohei Kono, president of the Japanese Association for the Promotion of International Trade (JAPIT). The discussions underscored both countries’ commitment to strengthening economic ties and fostering political trust amid regional and global economic challenges.

During the talks, Premier Li emphasized that China is prepared to work proactively with all sectors in Japan to uphold the shared political consensus that the two nations are cooperative partners rather than rivals. He called for cooperation to yield more tangible results, aiming to boost practical collaboration and reinforce the foundation of mutual political trust and people-to-people friendship.

Premier Li highlighted numerous unique advantages shared by China and Japan, stating that both sides should harness these strengths to pursue mutual benefits and achieve win-win outcomes. He noted that deepening cooperation between Asia’s two largest economies could inject fresh momentum into each country’s development and contribute to wider global economic growth.

Reaffirming China’s commitment to economic openness, Li stated that China will continue expanding high-level opening up and welcomes more foreign enterprises, including those from Japan, to invest and grow within its market. He expressed hope that JAPIT would maintain its active role in enhancing economic and trade exchanges, while also promoting friendship and mutual trust at various levels.

In his remarks, Yohei Kono stressed the importance of enhanced communication and policy coordination between Japan and China, especially under the current international circumstances. He underlined the necessity for both nations to act collectively in safeguarding multilateralism and protecting the free trade system, which he described as vital for the prosperity of the region.

Kono also reaffirmed JAPIT’s longstanding commitment to fostering Japan-China friendship, voicing willingness to deepen exchanges, bolster mutual understanding, and contribute positively to stronger people-to-people links and mutually beneficial cooperation. This gesture highlights enduring efforts from both sides to cement bilateral relations and sustain regional stability and prosperity.