The First meeting of the Fifth 21st Century Committee for China-Japan Friendship was closed in Yangzhou on February 9, 2010.

The meeting was held in the context that the regional and international landscape has undergone profound changes and China-Japan relations are facing new opportunities. Since the opening of the meeting on February 7th, the members from both sides, while considering the current situation and looking ahead at the future, pooled their wisdom and had candid and in-depth discussions around such themes as how to improve the strategic partnership of mutual benefit and achieve greater development of China-Japan relations in the new situation. The following views and suggestions were expressed in the meeting.

First, China-Japan relations have entered a new stage full of development opportunities. The two governments both attach great importance to the bilateral relationship and are committed to pursuing a long-term and stable policy of friendly cooperation. The two sides should further upgrade the positioning of bilateral relationship in the overall diplomacy of the two countries and boost new development of bilateral relationship in a wider scope and at a higher level. The Japanese side held the view that the two countries should view China-Japan relationship from a bigger perspective of time and space, recognize the problems and differences in bilateral relationship without neglecting the overall situation, and continue to deepen the strategic partnership of mutual benefits.

Second, the two sides should focus on the trend of global economic development in the post financial crisis era and consolidate cooperation in such fields as energy environment, green and low-carbon economy, and circular economy. The Chinese side proposed initiating some large-scale cooperation projects, such as China-Japan Circular Economy Park in Caofeidian, Tangshan and advancing bilateral cooperation in information and communication technologies, biomedicine, new materials, clean fuel vehicles and other emerging but strategic sectors.

Third, the two sides should expand channels for people-to-people and cultural exchanges and improve people’s feelings toward each other via multiple channels. The two sides should take Shanghai World Expo as an opportunity to expand people-to-people exchanges. The two sides should continue to conduct exchange between the media and social sciences communities. China hoped that the Japanese side could further streamline the visa application procedures for the Chinese citizens and proposed strengthening exchanges between youth writers and creating China-Japan Buddhist Art Festival. The Japanese side said that the two sides should set store by the soul communication between the people.

Fourth, the two countries should give priority to strengthening China-Japan cooperation in the Asian integration process as a key direction for bilateral relationship. The two sides should strengthen regional financial cooperation and jointly create a secure financial network. The two sides should jointly participate in the development of the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) and propelled the networking construction of Asia’s infrastructure. The two sides should accelerate the official-industry-academic research process for China-Japan-ROK (Republic of Korea) free trade area, launch the official negotiations as quickly as possible and take the free trade area as the starting point to advance the development of an integrated regional market.

Tang Jiaxuan, senior member of China said in his sum-up remarks that the meeting had great foresights, extensive subjects and productive results. The members of both sides discussed the mega-trend of China-Japan cooperation from a strategic perspective. Based on the spirit of seeking common ground while reserving minor differences, they had candid discussions, which increased their understanding of each other and enhanced their trust and friendship. The meeting was really a touching one.

Tang said that Yangzhou is a city deeply connected with China-Japan relationship. Buddhist Master Jian Zhen was an eminent Buddhist monk in Daming Temple, Yangzhou. His sailed to Japan despite of the hardship in Tang Dynasty and left enduring achievements in the history of China-Japan cultural exchanges. The meeting was closed in Yangzhou, which implied remembrance of ancestors and encouragement of newcomers. He believed that with the concerted efforts of both sides, the Fifth 21st Century Committee for China-Japan Friendship would surely continue to achieve positive results, live up to the mission entrusted by the governments and peoples and make contributions to the development of China-Japan friendship in the new century.

Taizo Nishimuro, senior member of Japan said in his summary remarks that the meeting was active and productive. It was a good starting point. In the new situation, China and Japan should treat bilateral relationship from a global perspective, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in a wide range of areas and strive to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. The Japanese members were willing to make joint efforts with the Chinese members toward this goal.

Liang Baohua, Secretary of CPC Jiangsu Provincial Committee, and Luo Zhijun, Governor of Jiangsu Province also met the members of the committee.

During their stay in Yangzhou, the members also inspected local economic and social conditions.

The 21st Century Committee for China-Japan Friendship is an advisory body for the two governments and consists of personalities from different communities, with the purpose of contributing good ideas and suggestions for the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.