Xi meets special envoy of Japanese prime minister

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Toshihiro Nikai, Japanese prime minister's special envoy and secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, ahead of the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in Beijing, capital of China, April 24, 2019. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

BEIJING, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday met with Toshihiro Nikai, Japanese prime minister's special envoy and secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party, ahead of the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) in Beijing.

Noting China-Japan relations are back on normal track and gaining positive momentum, Xi said the two sides should abide by the principles affirmed in the four China-Japan political documents, adhere to the general direction of peace and friendship, continue to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral ties.

The two countries should implement their political consensus that "they never pose a threat to each other" and "they are cooperative partners supporting each other's peaceful development," and push bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields to a new level, Xi said.

The two sides should tap the potential for cooperation, Xi noted.

China welcomes Japan's continued and in-depth participation in China's reform and opening up, and hopes that Japan will play a more active role in jointly building the Belt and Road, Xi said.

The two sides should strengthen communication and coordination, jointly uphold multilateralism and free trade, and promote the building of an open world economy, Xi said, adding that China supports Japan in hosting the G20 Osaka Summit.

As this year is the China-Japan Youth Exchange Promotion Year, Xi said the two sides should sow the seeds of friendship among the people of the two countries, especially among the youth, to promote people-to-people ties.

Nikai delivered a letter signed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to Xi and said it is gratifying that Japan-China relations are back on track.

Nikai said he is deeply touched by President Xi's views on bilateral relations.

The Belt and Road Initiative put forward by Xi is a grand vision with great potential, Nikai said, adding that the Japanese side appreciates China's important contributions to the world and the region through this initiative.

As the special envoy of the prime minister to attend the BRF, Nikai said Japan is willing to strengthen cooperation with China in this regard and support extensive exchanges between various sectors of the two countries, especially among the youth.

Xi accepted Abe's letter and asked Nikai to convey his regards to Abe.