Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for a transformation and upgrade of economic cooperation between China and Japan during a high-level dialogue in Tokyo on Saturday. Co-chairing the sixth China-Japan High-Level Economic Dialogue with Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya, Wang emphasized the need to strengthen communication on economic development strategies and macroeconomic policies.
Since the normalization of diplomatic relations, trade between China and Japan has surged more than 300 times, maintaining a high level of $300 billion for 15 consecutive years. Cumulative two-way investment has reached nearly $140 billion. Wang noted that this close industrial cooperation has brought tangible benefits to the people of both countries.
“China and Japan are partners, not rivals,” Wang said. “We should support each other, not divide each other.”
Facing rising unilateral protectionism and challenges to economic globalization, Wang urged both nations to establish correct mutual understanding, demonstrate responsibility, and seek common development through innovative thinking.
He called for accelerated transformation and upgrading of economic and trade cooperation, encouraging enterprises from both countries to collaborate in areas such as artificial intelligence, digital economy, energy conservation, and environmental protection. Wang also advocated for the expansion of market access and the elimination of discriminatory restrictions.
Additionally, he emphasized the importance of resuming negotiations on the China-Japan-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement, implementing the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement with high quality, and advancing the process of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific.
The two sides discussed various issues including macroeconomic policies, trade and investment, digital economy, green development, environmental protection, cultural exchanges, and regional cooperation. They planned the next steps for collaboration and reached a broad consensus.
