By ZONG Shihan & ZHANG Jiaxin

The 19th Annual Beijing-Tokyo Forum, co-hosted by the China International Communications Group (CICG) and the Japanese non-profit think tank Genron NPO, kicked off in Beijing offline and online on October 19.

The forum focused on the responsibilities of the two nations for stability in Asia and peace and cooperation in the world. Participants from the political, economic, academic and media sectors of both China and Japan discussed enhancing political mutual trust, strengthening security guarantees, clarifying media responsibilities, developing the digital economy and enhancing youth exchanges.

The forum assumes special significance with this year marking the 45th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship. Takeo Fukuda, former prime minister of Japan, once described the treaty as "building a solid bridge between the two countries."

A new starting point

Wang Yi, minister of Foreign Affairs of China, said 45 years ago, the leaders of the two countries used strategic culture and political wisdom to conclude the treaty, which established the joint goal of developing long-lasting friendship between the two countries in legal form. 

"Forty-five years later, the core contents of the treaty, such as non-interference in each other's internal affairs and opposing any country's pursuit of hegemony, are still what China-Japan relations must abide by," Wang said at the forum, adding that the treaty is conducive to addressing the risks facing the world today.

Sun Yeli, vice minister of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said China and Japan are neighbors separated by a strip of water and have deep historical and cultural origins. The history of more than 2,000 years of exchanges proves that only sincerity can achieve everlasting friendship. The 45th anniversary of the treaty is both a milestone and a new starting point. China and Japan should take history as a mirror and create a better future for their development.

Japanese foreign minister Yoko Kamikawa said she hoped that the wisdom of the participants at the conference would inject new vitality into the treaty and make it a driving force for creating a better future for both countries.

Du Zhanyuan, president of CICG, said more than 2,000 years of exchanges between China and Japan show that peace, friendship and mutual learning have always been the main themes in the hearts of the two peoples. Currently, the two nations are striving to build a relationship that meets the needs of the new era. 

Joint effort to deal with unresolved issues

As the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation, uncertainties pose a challenge to the healthy and stable development of China and Japan relations.

"The two countries are facing a lot of unresolved issues. In this period, we need to face the challenges and continue to conduct frank dialogue, which will help build the stable development bilateral relations that the two leaders have agreed on," Kamikawa said.

Wang said the two neighbors should keep their promises and safeguard the political foundation of bilateral relations. The four political documents between China and Japan, including the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, are the political foundation of bilateral relations. Facts have proved that bilateral relations can develop smoothly only if both sides abide by the agreement, otherwise they will go off course.

Yasuo Fukuda, former prime minister of Japan, said with world situation becoming more and more complex, the most important thing for political leaders is to look at the big picture, make decisions, and take action.

Toshiro Muto, director general of the Japanese committee of the forum and former Tokyo 2020 CEO,  said in the face of the increasingly severe international situation, how to maintain peace and prosperity in Asia, especially in East Asia, is a common issue for China and Japan. On the 45th anniversary of the signing of the treaty, it is necessary to revisit the original intention and engage in candid dialogue.

Sun pointed out that the economies of China and Japan are highly complementary and enjoy broad space for cooperation. The two countries should foster more new economic growth points and achieve a higher level of mutual benefit and win-win results.

People-to-people friendship for better ties

The participants spoke about their expectations for the promotion of bilateral relations, regarding people-to-people friendship as the source of vitality for the development of China-Japan relations.

Wang said the two peoples, especially the younger generation, should have more face-to-face communication, enhance mutual understanding and trust, and build a solid public support for the development of bilateral relations.

Sun mentioned that at the recently concluded Hangzhou Asian Games, Japan sent the largest delegation in history to the Asian Games. The audience were impressed by the wonderful performances and friendly interactions between Chinese and Japanese athletes. "We should carry forward the tradition of people-to-people friendship and carry out extensive exchanges and cooperation in the fields such as culture, sports, film and television, and publishing, especially among young people," Sun said.

Du referred to the results of the latest survey of public opinion on China-Japan relations. Chinese and Japanese respondents highly recognize the role of non-governmental exchanges, with 61.5 percent of Chinese respondents and 53.1 percent of Japanese respondents affirming the importance of non-governmental exchanges in improving bilateral relations. Du said the two sides should make greater efforts in cultural exchanges, build more exchange platforms, and promote more people-to-people exchanges, especially among young people.