Guests toast to the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship at an event in Tokyo on Sept 28, 2023. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Japanese politicians and organization leaders expressed their hope for Japan and China to properly handle their differences and pass down the spirit of peaceful friendship and cooperation.

At an event making the 45th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship and the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Toshihiro Nikai, chairman of the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians’ Union, said 45 years ago, the older generation of politicians from both countries signed the treaty with strategic foresight and great courage, effectively safeguarding peace and stability not only between the two nations but also in the region and the world.

Japan and China have a long history of friendly exchanges, and while there may be differences and contradictions on some issues, Nikai still expressed his hope that both sides would focus on the future, display wisdom, and jointly promote the continuous development of their bilateral relationship. 

Natsuo Yamaguchi, leader of Japan's Komeito party, speaks at an event making the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship in Tokyo on Sept 28, 2023. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Natsuo Yamaguchi, leader of Japan’s Komeito party, said former Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai, in the later years of his life, expressed his earnest hope for Sino-Japanese peace and friendship to Daisaku Ikeda, the founder of Komeito. Subsequently, former Japanese Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda, together with the Chinese side, jointly concluded the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship.

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Yamaguchi said he hopes that both sides would reaffirm the original intentions behind the treaty and continue to pass down the spirit of peaceful friendship and cooperation.

Takeshi Noda, president of the Japan-China Society, speaks at an event making the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship in Tokyo on Sept 28, 2023. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Takeshi Noda, president of the Japan-China Society, congratulated China on its remarkable achievements since the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949.

Noda said he hopes that Japan and China, in the spirit of seeking truth from facts, would properly handle their differences based on reality, expand exchanges and cooperation, and make positive efforts for regional and global development.

Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao speaks during an event marking the 74th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship in Tokyo on Sept 28, 2023. (PHOTO PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao said this year is an important milestone for both countries.

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“In the context of the changing global landscape and with a focus on regional and global peace, stability and development, we hope that both sides will take the 45th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship as an opportunity to revisit the spirit of the treaty, abide by treaty obligations … build political mutual trust, promote mutually beneficial cooperation, deepen people-to-people exchanges, properly handle differences and disputes, and work diligently to construct China-Japan relations that meet the requirements of the new era,” Wu said.

More than 1,400 participants, including former Japanese Prime Ministers Yasuo Fukuda and Yukio Hatoyama, government representatives, members of the national legislature of Japan, figures from the economic and cultural circles, well-known media and think-tank experts, as well as diplomats from various countries, attended the event on Sept 28.

jiangxueqing@chinadaily.com.cn