Japan-China Joint Press Statement
(Provisional Translation)

Japanese

1. Premier Wen Jiabao of the People's Republic of China made an official visit to Japan from April 11th to the 13th, 2007, in response to an invitation extended by the Government of Japan. During his visit, Premier Wen held talks with the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe. Premier Wen will be received in audience by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, will deliver an address to the Japanese Diet and will have wide-ranging interactions with people from various sectors of Japan.
2. Both sides confirmed that the two countries would continue to observe the principles enunciated in the Joint Communique of the Government of Japan and the Government of the People's Republic of China, the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and the People's Republic of China, and the Japan-China Joint Declaration.
3. Both sides resolved to face history squarely, advance toward the future, and jointly unveil a beautiful future for bilateral relations.
   Regarding the Taiwan issue, the Japanese side expressed its adherence to the position which was set forth in the Joint Communique of the Government of Japan and the Government of the People's Republic of China.
4. Both sides reaffirmed that, based on the Japan-China Joint Press Statement which the two sides announced on the occasion of Prime Minister Abe's visit to China in October 2006, the two countries would strive to build a "mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests", and achieve the noble objectives of peaceful co-existence, friendship for generations, mutually beneficial cooperation and common development. Both sides attained the following common understanding on building a "mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests".
   • (1) The basic spirit of the "mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests" is as follows:
     It is the solemn responsibility of both countries in the new era to contribute constructively to the peace, stability and development of Asia and the world. Based on this recognition, both countries will fully develop mutually beneficial cooperation for the future at various levels, such as the bilateral, regional and international levels, that will contribute to the benefit of both countries, Asia and the world. In this context, both countries will benefit mutually and expand their common interests. In so doing, Japan-China relations will be elevated to new heights.
   • (2) The basic content of the "mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests" is as follows:
     • (i) Both countries will mutually support their peaceful development and enhance mutual trust in the area of politics. They will maintain and increase mutual high-level visits. They will endeavor to enhance the transparency of various policies. They will expand and deepen exchange and dialogue between their governments, parliaments and political parties.
     • (ii) Both countries will deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and achieve common development. They will strengthen cooperation in the areas of energy, environmental protection, finance, information and communication technology, and protection of intellectual property, and enhance and establish mechanisms of the cooperation.
     • (iii) Both countries will strengthen dialogue and exchange in the area of defense and make utmost efforts for the stability of the region together.
     • (iv) Both countries will strengthen human and cultural exchanges, and enhance mutual understanding and feeling of friendship between the two peoples. They will hold wide-ranging exchanges between the two countries' youths, press, friendship cities and private entities, and promote diverse cultural exchanges.
     • (v) Both countries will strengthen coordination and cooperation, and tackle regional and global challenges together. They will together make utmost efforts for maintaining peace and stability in Northeast Asia, adhere to peacefully settling the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula through dialogue, and achieve the goal of denuclearizing the Korean Peninsula. Both sides support that necessary and rational reform of the United Nations including Security Council reform should be carried out. They will support ASEAN playing a pivotal role in East Asian regional cooperation, and promote regional cooperation in East Asia based on the three principles of openness, transparency and inclusiveness.
5. Both sides decided to further develop concrete cooperation for the building of a "mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests", and attained the following outcomes:
   • (1) Reinforcement of dialogue and exchange, and enhancement of mutual understanding
     • (i) Exchange at the summit level
       The leaders of both countries will continue to make frequent mutual visits and frequently hold talks on the occasion of international conferences.
     • (ii) Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue
       The Prime Minister and Premier attended the startup meeting and decided to launch the dialogue. The two leaders appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso and Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan as co-chairs of the dialogue respectively. The leaders clarified the organization and mission of the dialogue. They confirmed the importance of the two economies and their cooperation in the economic field to the world economy. They jointly decided to hold the first meeting in Beijing by the end of the year.
     • (iii) Dialogues between Foreign Ministries
       Both sides confirmed that the two foreign ministers would maintain close cooperation on bilateral issues and regional and international issues of common interests. Both sides confirmed that they would strengthen dialogue at various levels in wide-ranging areas, such as the Japan-China strategic dialogue, Japan-China Security Dialogue, Japan-China Economic Partnership Consultation, consultations between Japan and China concerning UN reform, consultations between Japan and China concerning Africa, and the Japan-China Press Secretary consultations.
     • (iv) Defense exchange
       The Chinese Defense Minister will visit Japan this fall in response to an invitation extended by Japan. Both sides agreed that they would realize early the visit to Japan by Chinese Navy vessels and the subsequent visit to China by Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels. Furthermore, a communication mechanism between the two defense authorities will be established, and thereby, prevent the occurrence of unforeseen circumstances at sea.
     • (v) Personnel exchange and youth exchange
       The Chinese side agreed to establish regular international passenger charter flights between Hongqiao Airport and Haneda Airport.
       Both sides will, upon the 35th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral relations, implement plans such as the dispatch of missions of 20,000 persons in total scale to 19 cities with direct flights from Japan.
       Furthermore, the Japanese side conveyed that Japan would like to invite a large number of Chinese high school students to Japan in the next five years as part of the "Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths", and the Chinese side welcomed this. Both sides agreed to implement a reciprocal large-scale exchange program for Japanese and Chinese youths.
     • (vi) Cultural exchange
       Both sides will cooperate closely and ensure that the Japan-China Exchange Year of Culture and Sports 2007 will result in a positive outcome. Both sides concurred to establish a cultural center in each other's capitols.
   • (2) Reinforcement of mutually beneficial cooperation
     • (i) Energy and environmental cooperation
       Both sides welcomed the announcement of the "Joint Statement by Japan and the People's Republic of China on the Further Enhancement of Cooperation for Environmental Protection". Both sides affirmed their sincere efforts at tackling the global environmental issues affecting the two countries. Furthermore, both sides confirmed that they would focus their cooperation on areas such as prevention of water pollution in vital waters including the Bo Hai and Huang Hai regions and the Yangtze basin, building recycling societies, air pollution prevention, measures to combat climate change, prevention of drifting marine litter, and measures for tackling acid rain and yellow sand.
       Both sides welcomed the holding of the First Energy Ministerial Policy Dialogue and the announcement of a joint statement concerning energy cooperation enhancement. Both sides agreed that they would strengthen their cooperation focusing on energies such as energy conservation, coal and nuclear power, including model projects for the promotion of energy conservation and environmental businesses, as well as bolster cooperation in multilateral frameworks including the promotion of energy conservation in the Asian region.
       Both sides supported the activities of the Japan-China Board of Assistance to Greening Activities. They confirmed that they would further promote reforestation cooperation programs carried out in China by Japanese private entities, and that the two countries would cooperate toward sustainable forest management.
     • (ii) Agricultural cooperation
       Both sides agreed that they would actively cooperate in the agricultural sector. The Chinese side agreed to import Japanese rice which meets Chinese quarantine standards, and the Japanese side welcomed this. Both sides will continue to actively engage in consultations over the issue of agricultural exports.
     • (iii) Toki
       The Chinese side agreed that it would give Japan two tokis (ibises), and the Japanese side expressed its gratitude. The both sides concurred to carry out cooperation for the protection of tokis.
     • (iv) Cooperation in the field of pharmaceutical products
       Both sides agreed that they would promote the concept of Japan-China cooperation in medicine, which focuses on measures against human pandemic influenza and measures against cancer. Regarding cooperation for the latter, the Japanese side conveyed that it would dispatch a mission to China comprised of people from the public and private sectors at an early date and hold exchanges, and the Chinese side welcomed this.
     • (v) Intellectual property rights
       Both sides affirmed that, on the basis of attaining benefit through mutual respect and mutual benefit, they would strengthen dialogue and cooperation in the field of intellectual property rights, constantly raise the standards for the application and protection of intellectual property rights, and ensure the smooth enhancement of economic cooperation between Japan and China.
     • (vi) Small and Medium Enterprise Fair
       The Japanese side, in response to a request, gave a consent to co-host the Small and Medium Enterprise Fair with China as a state guest, which will be held in Guangzhou in September.
     • (vii) Cooperation in the field of information and communication technology
       Both sides consented to further strengthen and promote cooperation in the field of information and communication, such as next-generation mobile communications and next-generation networks.
     • (viii) Cooperation in the field of finance
       Both sides concurred to further strengthen their cooperative relations in the fields of finance and financial supervision.
     • (ix) Cooperation in the field of criminal justice
       Both sides, as an essential part of strengthening the cooperative relations in the field of criminal justice between the two countries, decided that they would work toward reaching a substantive agreement by the end of the year on negotiations for concluding a Treaty between Japan and China on mutual legal Assistance Treaty in criminal matters. Both sides also agreed that they would continue to promote consultations on the issues regarding the conclusion of a treaty on extradition and a treaty on the transfer of sentenced persons between Japan and China.
   • (3) Regional and international cooperation
     • (i) UN reform
       Both sides concurred to strengthen dialogue and communication and to work toward enhancing common understanding with each other on UN reform. The Chinese side hopes that Japan plays an even greater constructive role in the international community.
     • (ii) Cooperation in the Six-Party Talks
       Both sides reaffirmed that they would promote the process of Six-Party Talks in accordance with the Joint Statement of September 19, 2005, and make the utmost efforts to achieve denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and maintain peace and stability in Northeast Asia together through dialogue and consultation. Both sides also shared the recognition that the Six Parties must make efforts to fully implement the document on the initial actions reached at the Six-Party Talks on February 13, 2007. The Japanese side explained its policy to settle the outstanding issues of concern between Japan and North Korea including the abduction issue and to advance the negotiations to normalize Japan-North Korea relations. The Chinese side expressed its understanding and sympathy toward the humanitarian concern of the Japanese people, wished for the early resolution of this issue and expressed its hope that the Japan-North Korea relations would make progress. The Chinese side also expressed that it would like to provide the necessary cooperation toward these ends.
     • (iii) Investment exchange
       Both sides agreed that they would make efforts as much as possible toward the early agreement of a practical and mutually beneficial trilateral investment agreement among Japan, China and the Republic of Korea and the formulation of an action agenda for improving business environment.
     • (iv) Economic cooperation
       Both sides shared the view that the Japanese yen loans to China which will conclude in 2008 played a positive role in the economic development of China and Japan-China economic cooperation, and the Chinese side expressed its gratitude. Both sides agreed that they would hold dialogue on cooperation for the provision of assistance to a third country.
6. Both sides attained the following common understanding for appropriately handling the issue of the East China Sea:
   • (1) Firmly adhere to making the East China Sea a "Sea of Peace, Cooperation and Friendship";
   • (2) Conduct joint development as a provisional framework until the final delimitation based on principles of mutual benefit principles, on the premise that it does not prejudice the position of either side on various issues concerning the law of the sea;
   • (3) Hold higher-level consultations as necessary;
   • (4) Conduct joint development at relatively large waters which is acceptable for both sides;
   • (5) Accelerate the process of consultation and aim to report concrete measures on joint development to the leaders in this fall.
7. Both sides welcomed the establishment of the "Japan-China Joint Organization on Destruction of Japanese Abandoned Chemical Weapons in China". Furthermore, the Japanese side announced that it would proceed its work by introducing mobile disposal equipment in order to accelerate the destruction process, taking into account the proposal made by the Chinese side. The Chinese side welcomed this.
8. The Chinese side expressed its gratitude for the heartfelt and friendly reception by the Japanese side during Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Japan.

The statement was announced on April 11, 2007 in Tokyo.