On September 29, 2022, President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan.

Xi Jinping pointed out that 50 years ago today, the elder generation of leaders of China and Japan, with foresight and vision and firm grasp of the situation, made the major political decision to normalize diplomatic relations between the two countries, opening a new chapter in bilateral relations. Over the past 50 years, with the joint efforts of the two governments and peoples, the two sides have successively reached four political documents and a series of important common understandings, and steadily deepened exchanges and cooperation in various fields, bringing important benefits to the two countries and peoples, and contributing to peace and development in the region and beyond.

Xi Jinping underscored the importance he attaches to the development of China-Japan relations,noting that he would like to work with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to take the opportunity of the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations to steer the two sides toward building a China-Japan relationship that answers the call of the new era in line with the trends of the times.

Fumio Kishida said 50 years ago, with strategic perspectives and political courage, the elder generation of leaders of Japan and China opened up a new historical journey for Japan-China relations. Over the past 50 years, Japan and China have made remarkable progress in cooperation in a wide range of fields, including economy, culture and personnel exchanges. It is of great significance for the two sides to join hands to open up a new future for Japan-China relations. Japan is ready to work with China to build a constructive and stable Japan-China relationship in the next 50 years, and jointly promote peace and prosperity in the two countries, the region and the world at large.

On the same day, Premier Li Keqiang and Fumio Kishida exchanged congratulatory messages. Li Keqiang said China and Japan enjoy geographical proximity and cultural affinity, and are both important countries in the region and the international community. China is ready to work with Japan to maintain peaceful and friendly coexistence, safeguard the political foundation of bilateral relations, deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, properly manage problems and disagreements, and promote sustained and sound progress of China-Japan relations with the 50th anniversary of normalization of diplomatic relations as a new starting point.