On February 18, 2023 local time, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs Wang Yi met with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi on the margins of the Munich Security Conference.

Wang Yi expressed that China and Japan are neighbors separated only by a narrow strip of water, and the right way for the two countries to get along is to learn from history and create a bright future. Japan had stated that the two countries are partners posing no threat to each other, and that Japan is committed to developing constructive relations with China. China hopes that Japan will implement these statements in real earnest. As this year marks the 45th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, Japan should take this opportunity to take stock of experience and lessons, steer clear of internal and external disruptions, and work in the same direction with China, so as to ensure that China-Japan relations move forward steadily on the right track. Unilateralism, decoupling and severing industrial and supply chains are not in the interests of any party. Japan should get a clear understanding of the situation and make independent choices.

Stressing that discharging nuclear-contaminated water into the sea bears on the marine environment and the health of people of all countries, Wang Yi stressed that Japan must be really prudent and must not wantonly start discharging the nuclear-contaminated water into the sea prior to a full consultation with neighboring countries and other stakeholders as well as international agencies.

Yoshimasa Hayashi said that Japan-China cooperation is of great significance to their efforts to achieve respective development and prosperity. The two sides celebrated the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations last year, and this year marks the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Japan-China Treaty of Peace and Friendship. Japan is ready to work with China to enhance communication and dialogue at all levels, strengthen cooperation in the fields of economy and trade as well as exchanges between youth, and implement the important common understandings reached between the leaders of the two countries.

The two sides also exchanged views on some international and regional issues.