Japan, China Leaders Exchange Messages On 50th Anniversary Of Bilateral Ties
The leaders of Japan and China have stressed the importance of developing bilateral ties for a new era as their countries marked 50 years since normalizing diplomatic relations.
Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged messages on the 50th anniversary on Thursday.
Kishida said in his message that the two countries have developed relations in a wide range of fields, including the economy, culture and people-to-people exchanges, since normalizing ties in 1972.
He added that the bilateral relations now face many challenges and pending issues as well as a variety of possibilities.
He said it is important for the two countries to work together to pave the way for a new future for Japan-China relations by looking back at achieving normalization.
Kishida also said Japan and China share a great responsibility for peace and prosperity.
He said he hopes to work with Xi to build constructive and stable relations to achieve peace and prosperity for not just the two countries but also the region and the world, by firmly looking ahead to the coming 50 years.
Xi said that 50 years ago, leaders of older generations made an important political decision to open a new chapter in bilateral ties.
He said he attaches great importance to the development of the two countries' relations.
He expressed intent to take the lead, with the prime minister, in building a bilateral relationship appropriate to the needs of the new era by taking the 50th anniversary as an opportunity and going with the tide of the times.