Japan - China Joint Declaration On
Building a Partnership of Friendship and Cooperation for Peace and Development
(Provisional Translation)
28 November 1998
In response to an invitation
extended by the Government of Japan, President Jiang Zemin of the People's Republic of
China made an official visit to Japan as a State Guest from 25 to 30 November 1998. On the
occasion of this historically significant first visit to Japan by a President of the
People's Republic of China, President Jiang met with His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, and
held an intensive exchange of views with Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi on the international
situation, regional issues and the overall Japan-China relationship. They attained a broad
common view and, based on the success of this visit, declared as follows:
I
Both sides shared the view
that as the world in the post-Cold War era continues to undergo great changes toward the
creation of a new international order, further economic globalization is deepening
interdependence and security dialogue and cooperation are making constant progress. Peace
and development remain major issues facing the human society. It is therefore the common
wish of the international community to build a new international political and economic
order which is fair and rational, and to strive for a peaceful international environment
in the twenty-first century that is even more firmly rooted.
Both sides reaffirmed that the
principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual
non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual
benefit and peaceful co-existence, as well as the principles of the Charter of the United
Nations, are the basic norms for relations between states.
Both sides positively evaluate
the efforts made by the United Nations to preserve world peace and to promote the economic
and social development of the world, and believe that the United Nations should play an
important role in building and maintaining a new international order. Both sides express
support for the reforms of the United Nations including the reform of the Security
Council, in order for the United Nations to further embody the common wish and collective
will of all Members in its activities and policy decision making process.
Both sides stress the
importance of the ultimate elimination of nuclear weapons, and oppose the proliferation of
nuclear weapons in any form whatsoever, and furthermore, strongly call upon the nations
concerned to cease all nuclear testing and nuclear arms race, in order to contribute to
the peace and stability of the Asian region and the world.
Both sides believe that both
Japan and China, as nations influential in the Asian region and the world, bear an
important responsibility for preserving peace and promoting development. Both sides will
strengthen coordination and cooperation in the areas such as international politics,
international economy, and global issues, thus positively contributing to the endeavor for
the peace and development of the world aimed at the progress of humanity.
II
Both sides believe that, after
the Cold War, the Asian region has continued to move toward stability and the regional
cooperation has deepened further. In addition, both sides are convinced that this region
will exert greater influence on international politics, economics and security and will
continue to play an important role in the coming century.
Both sides reiterate that it
is the unshakable fundamental policy of the two countries to maintain the peace of this
region and to promote its development, and that they will not seek hegemony in the Asian
region and settle all disputes by peaceful means, without recourse to the use or threat of
force.
Both sides expressed their
great interest in the current financial crisis in East Asia and the ensuing difficulties
for the Asian economy. At the same time, both sides recognize that the economic foundation
of this region is sound, and firmly believe that by advancing rational adjustment and
reform based on experiences, as well as by enhancing regional and international
coordination and cooperation, the economy of Asia will definitely overcome its
difficulties and continue to develop. Both sides affirmed that they would positively meet
the various challenges that they faced, and would respectively make their utmost efforts
toward promoting the economic development of the region.
Both sides believe that stable
relations among the major nations of the Asia-Pacific region are extremely important for
the peace and stability of this region. Both sides shared the view that they would
actively participate in all multilateral activities in this region, such as the ASEAN
Regional Forum, promote coordination and cooperation, and support all measures for
enhancing understanding and strengthening confidence.
III
Both sides reviewed the
bilateral relationship since the normalization of relations between Japan and China, and
expressed satisfaction with the remarkable development in all areas, including politics,
economics, culture and personnel exchanges. Further,both sides shared the view that under
the current situation cooperation between the two countries is growing in importance, and
that further strengthening and developing the friendly and cooperative relations between
the two countries not only serve the fundamental interests of their peoples, but also
positively contribute to the peace and development of the Asia-Pacific region and the
world as a whole. Both sides reaffirmed that the Japan-China relationship is one of the
most important bilateral relationships for the respective country,deeply recognized the
role and responsibility of both countries in achieving peace and development, and
expressed their resolve to establish a partnership of friendship and cooperation for
peace! and development toward the twenty-first century.
Both sides restated that they
will observe the principles of the Joint Communique of the Government of Japan and the
Government of the People's Republic of China, issued on 29 September 1972 and the Treaty
of Peace and Friendship between Japan and the People's Republic of China, signed on 12
August 1978, and reaffirmed that the above-mentioned documents will continue to be the
most important foundation for the bilateral relations.
Both sides are of the view
that Japan and China share a history of friendly exchanges spanning more than 2,000 years,
as well as a common cultural background, and that it is the common desire of the peoples
of the two countries to continue this tradition of friendship and to further develop
mutually beneficial cooperation.
Both sides believe that
squarely facing the past and correctly understanding history are the important foundation
for further developing relations between Japan and China. The Japanese side observes the
1972 Joint Communique of the Government of Japan and the Government of the People's
Republic of China and the 15 August 1995 Statement by former Prime Minister Tomiichi
Murayama. The Japanese side is keenly conscious of the responsibility for the serious
distress and damage that Japan caused to the Chinese people through its aggression against
China during a certain period in the past and expressed deep remorse for this. The Chinese
side hopes that the Japanese side will learn lessons from the history and adhere to the
path of peace and development. Based on this, both sides will develop long-standing
relations of friendship.
Both sides shared the view that
expanding personnel exchanges between the two countries is extremely important for
advancing mutual understanding and enhancing mutual trust.
Both sides confirmed an annual
visit by a leader of either country to the other, the establishment of a Tokyo-Beijing hot
line between the two Governments, and the further enhancement of personnel exchanges at
all levels, in particular among the younger generation who will shoulder the heavy burden
of the future development of the two countries.
Both sides shared the view
that, based on the principles of equality and mutual benefit, they will formulate
long-term, stable, cooperative economic and trade relations, and will further expand
cooperation in such areas as high technology, information, environmental protection,
agriculture and infrastructure. The Japanese side reiterated that a stable, open and
developing China is significant for the peace and development of the Asia-Pacific region
and the entire world, and restated its policy of continuing cooperation and assistance for
the economic development of China. The Chinese side expressed its gratitude for the
economic cooperation extended by Japan to China. The Japanese side reiterated that it will
continue to support China's efforts for the early accession to the WTO.
Both sides positively
evaluated the beneficial role played by their bilateral security dialogue in increasing
mutual understanding, and shared the view that they would further strengthen this dialogue
mechanism.
The Japanese side continues to
maintain its stand on the Taiwan issue which was set forth in the Joint Communique of the
Government of Japan and the Government of the People's Republic of China and reiterates
its understanding that there is one China. Japan will continue to maintain its exchanges
of private and regional nature with Taiwan.
Both sides affirmed that,
based on the principles of the Joint Communique of the Government of Japan and the
Government of the People's Republic of China and the Treaty of Peace and Friendship
between Japan and the People's Republic of China, and following the spirit of seeking
common major benefits while setting aside minor differences, they would work to maximize
their common interests and minimize their differences, and, through friendly
consultations, appropriately handle the issues, differences of opinion and disputes which
currently exist and may arise in the future,thereby avoiding any restraint or obstacle to
development of friendly relations between the two countries.
Both sides believe that
through establishment of a partnership of friendship and cooperation for peace and
development, the bilateral relations will enter a new level of development. To this end, a
wide range of participation and sustained effort not only of both Governments, but also of
the peoples of both countries, is essential. Both sides firmly believe that, if the
peoples of both countries, hand-in-hand, thoroughly demonstrate the spirit shown in this
Declaration, it will not only contribute to the friendship of the peoples of both
countries for generations to come, but also make an important contribution to the peace
and development of the Asia-Pacific region and of the world.
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