From June 10 to 11, 2012, Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun and Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Kenichiro Sasae held the 13th China-Japan strategic dialogue in Japan. Zhang also met with Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba on June 11. The two sides exchanged frank and in-depth views on how to correctly steer and advance the bilateral relations under new circumstances.

Zhang said that Japan, as a country with major influence in the region and the world, should respond to the call of the times, abide by the principles and spirit of the four political documents between the two countries, properly handle sensitive issues and promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral ties. At present, the bilateral relations face both important opportunities and severe challenges. The two sides should make active efforts in areas which are beneficial to enhancing mutual political trust and win-win cooperation and stop from engaging in activities which undermine the political basis of bilateral relations and the China-Japan friendship for the sake of the overall bilateral relations.

The Japanese side noted that Japan-China relations are one of the most important bilateral relationships of both sides. Japan attaches importance to the major role played by China in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large. It believes China's development brings opportunities and is willing to work with China to properly handle the problems between the two countries and constantly deepen the bilateral strategic and reciprocal relations.