Xi Jinping: "Japan's Leaders Should Cherish Efforts of Senior Politicians"... Seemingly Aimed at PM Takaichi

Chinese President Xi Jinping said that the political foundation of China-Japan relations must be safeguarded as he mourned the death of former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who passed away on October 22.

Chinese President Xi Jinping. Yonhap News

According to Xinhua News Agency on October 27, Xi said in a condolence message to Fukuda's bereaved family that day: "Mr. Fukuda was a politician of integrity and a strong sense of responsibility in Japan, and a longtime friend of the Chinese people. He devoted himself to China-Japan friendship for many years and upheld a correct view of history. During his tenure, he signed the fourth political document between China and Japan with China, setting out important principles for the development of bilateral relations."

Xi said, "China will deeply remember Mr. Fukuda's contributions to China-Japan relations and the development of Asia. I hope his family will carry on his legacy and continue working to advance China-Japan friendship."

Xi said, "I hope Japan's leaders will cherish the painstaking efforts and dedication of senior politicians, abide by the four major political documents between China and Japan, and take concrete steps to safeguard the political foundation of bilateral relations." The four major political documents are the China-Japan Joint Communique issued when the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1972; the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between China and Japan, signed by the countries' foreign ministers in 1978; the "China-Japan Joint Declaration on Building a Partnership of Friendship and Cooperation for Peace and Development" issued by the two countries in 1998; and the "Joint Statement on Comprehensive Promotion of a Strategic Relationship of Mutual Benefit" signed by the leaders of the two countries in 2008. The documents include provisions on the "One China" principle, mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and opposition to the pursuit of hegemony.

Xi's emphasis on the "efforts of senior Japanese politicians" is seen as a reference to current Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Relations between the two countries have been strained for a year, since Takaichi suggested shortly after taking office in November last year that Japan might intervene in the event of an emergency involving Taiwan.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.