On the afternoon of July 5, Premier Li Qiang met with the visiting delegation led by Yōhei Kōno, President of the Japan Association for the Promotion of International Trade, in the Great Hall of the People. Li Qiang stated that China and Japan are close neighbors separated by a strip of water. Last year, the two countries celebrated the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations, and this year ushered in the 45th anniversary of the conclusion of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China. China–Japan relations are at an important juncture to link the past and the future. The two sides should always adhere to the principles established in the four political documents between China and Japan, maintain the foundation for the development of China–Japan relations, treat each other's development objectively and rationally, and implement the political consensus of "being partners and not threatening each other". We should do more to conform to the hearts of the two peoples and the trend of the times, live in friendship, support each other, and achieve win-win cooperation, so as to inject more stability and positive energy into the joint construction of China–Japan relations that meet the requirements of the new era. Li Qiang pointed out that China Japan's pragmatic cooperation has a solid foundation, strong complementarity, and great potential, and the two countries have broad common interests. China comprehensively promotes high-quality development, firmly promotes high-level opening up to the outside world, and actively creates a market-oriented, legal, and international first-class business environment. We will continue to support Japanese companies in expanding investment cooperation with China. Li Qiang said that China–Japan relations have a profound folk foundation. I hope that the Japan Association for the Promotion of International Trade can further play a driving role in mutually beneficial cooperation and people-to-people friendly exchanges between the two countries. We welcome Japan and Chūgoku region to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in economic, cultural, sports, youth and other fields. Yōhei Kōno said that the Japan Association for the Promotion of International Trade is committed to promoting Japan China economic and trade exchanges, enhancing Japan China friendship, supporting China's development, and is willing to uphold the spirit of mutual respect and mutual trust with China to promote Japan China friendly cooperation to move forward. Wu Zhenglong and others attended the meeting. (New News Agency)