Xi & the 8-point Central Regulations - Li Qiang & He Lifeng Meet Global CEOs - New TV Show on Xi's Economic Thought - China-Japan Dialogue
Here are the reports on articles that I found worth reading in the People’s Daily on Monday, March 24, 2025.
Page 1: The lead article on the page is about the thematic education campaign focussing on the eight-point central regulation. The idiom used to frame this campaign is “徙木立信” moving a pole to establish trust. The idiom goes back to the Warring States period and is associated with Shang Yang (English story on the idiom). The broad idea of the story behind the phrase is that the leadership is taking visible actions in order to establish credibility and trust with the public.
The article tells us that the “eight-point central regulations are undoubtedly a ‘key’ to understanding the Communist Party of China in the new era, the largest Marxist ruling party in the world.” 中央八项规定，无疑是读懂新时代中国共产党，这个世界上最大的马克思主义执政党的一把“钥匙”. It emphasises that these were the “first important Party regulation formulated in the new era”, dating back to December 4, 2012. 镜头拉回到2012年12月4日，十八届中央政治局会议，在史册上标注了浓墨重彩的一笔：审议通过中央政治局关于改进工作作风、密切联系群众的八项规定。这是新时代制定的第一部重要党内法规，也成为改进工作作风的“一个切入口和动员令”.
The first section of the article talks about the results of implementing the regulations. It says that these regulations have become the “golden business card for the Chinese Communists in the new era.” 驰而不息。中央八项规定已成为党的作风建设的代名词，成为新时代中国共产党人的一张“金色名片”.
During the recent inspection tour of Yunnan and Guizhou, General Secretary Xi Jinping profoundly pointed out: ‘Over these years, the eight-point central regulations have indeed driven fundamental changes, and the atmosphere has been completely renewed; many long-standing, deeply entrenched issues have largely disappeared’... At the Politburo meeting where the eight-point central regulations were reviewed and approved, General Secretary Xi Jinping earnestly said: ‘We must be a little uncomfortable, a little less at ease. If we are a little uncomfortable and a little less at ease, then the people’s comfort will increase, their satisfaction will rise, and their perception of us will improve. This is also about creating a new image and a new atmosphere’. The changes in Party members and cadres and the perceptions of the people, the two considerations at the beginning of the formulation of the eight-point regulations, have also become the yardstick for testing their effectiveness many years later. 就在这次云贵考察中，习近平总书记深刻指出：“这些年，八项规定确实是推动了根本性的变化，风气为之一新，过去积重难返的现象大部分没有了。”放在时间长河里去观察。审议通过八项规定的那次中央政治局会议，习近平总书记语重心长说了一席话：“就是要不舒服一点、不自在一点，我们不舒服一点、不自在一点，老百姓的舒适度就好一点、满意度就高一点，对我们的感觉就好一点。这也是新形象新气象。”党员干部的变化和人民群众的观感，制定八项规定之初的两方面思量，也在多年后成为检验八项规定成效的量尺.
Party members and cadres have more constraints, but they are ‘liberated’ and ‘physically and mentally comfortable’. ‘Being freed from mountains of documents and oceans of meetings and the burden of receptions and entertainment, there have been obvious changes in work style and lifestyle. Most cadres feel liberated, physically and mentally comfortable, and families have felt a sense of closeness. Is it comfortable to be drunk all day long?’ In March 2014, more than a year after the implementation of the eight regulations, General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out profoundly at the enlarged meeting of the Standing Committee of Lankao County Party Committee in Henan Province. 党员干部，约束多了，却“解脱了”又“身心舒畅”。“从文山会海和接待应酬中解脱出来，工作方式和生活方式发生明显转变，大多数干部觉得解脱了、身心舒畅，家庭也有亲切感了。整天喝得醉醺醺的，舒服吗？”2014年3月，在八项规定实施一年多之后，习近平总书记在河南兰考县委常委扩大会议上深刻指出.
It adds:
Tigers, flies, foxes — ‘No matter who they are, no matter how high their position, as long as they violate Party discipline and state law, they will be held strictly accountable and severely punished. This is by no means an empty statement.’ Drawing red lines and setting behavioural standards—how is this not also a form of protection? “虎”“蝇”“狐”，“不论什么人，不论其职务多高，只要触犯了党纪国法，都要受到严肃追究和严厉惩处，决不是一句空话”。划出禁区红线，设定行为杠杠，这又何尝不是一种保护?
Many Party members and cadres have quietly changed their mindset and behaviour: ‘From being unaccustomed to becoming accustomed, from disbelief to belief, from passive to proactive, they have recalibrated their ideological compass, adjusted their behavioural rudder, and tightened the strings of discipline’. The people have more trust and confidence. Social customs and folk customs are continuing to improve. A survey by the National Bureau of Statistics in 2024 showed that 94.9% of the respondents affirmed the effectiveness of the implementation of the spirit of the eight-point central regulations. This is the vote of confidence cast by the people for our Party. 许多党员干部的思想和行动在悄然转变：“从不适应到适应，由不相信到相信，由被动到主动，校准了思想之标，调整了行为之舵，绷紧了作风之弦”。百姓，多了份信任，也添了份信心。社风民风正持续向好。2024年国家统计局的调查显示，94.9%的受访群众对中央八项规定精神贯彻落实成效表示肯定。这是人民群众给我们党投下的信任票.
The next section talks about the successes of the regulations, discussing the focus on the key minority, beginning with the central leadership. The big example that’s given upfront is Xi Jinping’s simplicity.
“During his first inspection tour outside Beijing after the 18th Party Congress, the General Secretary went to Guangdong, without clearing the roads, without blocking traffic, without laying red carpets; when inspecting military units, on the warship, the General Secretary went to the sailors’ canteen to eat, holding a tray and lining up with the soldiers to get food, eating at the same table. In the rice bowl, what is served is the Party’s heart and the people’s heart. There are a few menus and receipts: the dinner menu from the 2012 inspection in Fuping County, Hebei, the meal receipt from the 2014 inspection in Lankao County, Henan, and the lunch receipt from 2015 at the home of Liang Yuming, a fellow villager in Liangjiahe ... four dishes and one soup, all ordinary home-cooked meals—this is the daily life of a leader.” 党的十八大后首次离京考察，总书记前往广东，不腾道、不封路、不铺红毯；下部队视察。在舰艇，总书记到水兵餐厅就餐，拿着餐盘同战士们一起排队打饭菜，一张桌子吃饭。饭碗里，盛着党心民心。有几张菜单、票据：2012年考察河北阜平县的晚餐菜单、2014年考察河南兰考县的餐费收据、2015年在梁家河乡亲梁玉明家的午餐收条……四菜一汤，都是普通家常菜，这就是一位领袖的日常.
In December 2015, at the ‘Three Stricts and Three Honests’ themed democratic life meeting of the Politburo, when talking about treatment and guarantees, General Secretary Xi Jinping’s words were moving: ‘In this regard, I am very careful, and I could say I’m cautious and prudent, thinking thrice before acting, always considering whether any rules might be violated. I often think, having received the trust of all Party comrades, I have taken on the role of General Secretary of the Party, I must strictly require myself, take the lead in acting according to the Party Constitution, take the lead in observing the Party’s discipline and rules, and take the lead in managing my relatives, children, and staff working around me’.” 2015年12月，在中央政治局“三严三实”专题民主生活会上，谈到待遇保障，习近平总书记的话令人动容：“在这方面，我是很注意的，也算是谨小慎微，遇事三思而后行，做事情总要想想有没有触犯哪条规矩。我常常想，受全党同志信任，我担任了党的总书记，必须严格要求自己，带头按党章办事，带头遵守党的纪律和规矩，带头管好亲属子女和身边工作人员.”
This section also stresses the importance of research and investigation. In this context, we get an example of Xi going to the grassroots to inquire about poverty alleviation; another example is of Xi’s 2020 visit to Zhejiang to visit “ports and enterprises” which led him to understand that the “environmental conditions for large imports and exports have changed and thereby think about the new development pattern of ‘dual circulation’.” 2020年疫情之初，习近平总书记到浙江调研，正是因为深入港口、企业，敏锐察觉“大进大出的环境条件已经变化”，由此思考“双循环”的新发展格局.
The third section asks, well if such great results have already been achieved, can we not take a break? No surprises for guessing that the answer is no.
“Since the 20th Party Congress, the national disciplinary and supervisory agencies have investigated and dealt with 768,000 cases of unhealthy practices and corruption among the masses and punished 628,000 people. Looking at this data, people can genuinely feel the presence of integrity and righteousness, yet it is hard to avoid concern: Why do some individuals, despite the intense crackdown, still refuse to restrain themselves and stop their misconduct? From an external perspective, ‘conduct problems have a repetitive and stubborn nature; it is impossible to achieve success in one fell swoop or complete the task in a single battle, and nor can they be addressed like a passing gust of wind that comes and goes. The General Secretary has many vivid metaphors: ‘there are always places that flashlights cannot illuminate’, ‘some bad work styles are like cutting leeks, cut one batch and another grows.’ What to do? During this trip to Yunnan and Guizhou, the General Secretary again provided methodological guidance: Whatever we tackle, we must leave marks on iron and footprints on stone. Looking inward, problems in work style often begin with ideological slippage. Just as a room must be cleaned regularly, thoughts must also be constantly purified. When righteousness dwells within, evil cannot encroach. Only by cultivating the ‘inner discipline’ of a Communist Party member can we truly achieve a state of ‘not wanting to be corrupt’ at its root. At the Politburo’s democratic life meeting at the end of last year, the General Secretary clearly required ‘putting political cultivation at the forefront of Party character cultivation’ and ‘living, learning and cultivating until old age’.” 有组数据令人深思。党的二十大以来，全国监察机关共查处群众身边不正之风和腐败问题76.8万件、处分62.8万人。看这组数据，人们既真切感到清风正气，也难免忧虑：为什么有些人在高压态势下依然不收敛、不收手？从外部看，“作风问题具有反复性和顽固性，不可能一蹴而就、毕其功于一役，更不能一阵风、刮一下就停”。总书记不少比喻颇为形象：“任何时候都有手电筒照不到的地方”“一些不良作风像割韭菜一样，割了一茬长一茬”。怎么办？这次云贵行，总书记又给出方法指导：我们抓什么，就是抓铁有痕、踏石留印。向内在观，作风出问题往往始于思想滑坡。房间要常常打扫，思想也应时时洗涤。正气存内，邪不可干，修炼好共产党人的“心学”，才能从根本上实现“不想腐”。去年底的中央政治局民主生活会上，总书记明确要求“把政治修养摆在党性修养的首位”“活到老、学到老、修养到老”.
The piece then reinforces that despite the changes in times, the great cause of national rejuvenation requires a long journey, thereby requiring strict implementation of the eight-point central regulation.
“Faith is the root, and work conduct is the form. If the root is upright, the form gathers; if the root is not upright, the form will surely scatter. General Secretary Xi Jinping has always harboured a sense of concern: ‘Our Party’s ruling foundation is very solid, but if work conduct issues are not well resolved, a moment like ‘Farewell My Concubine’ could still occur. We must have a sense of crisis. The people’s support is of utmost importance—if we lose the people’s hearts, the Party will be in danger’.” 信念是本，作风是形，本正而形聚，本不正则形必散。习近平总书记始终心怀忧患，“我们党的执政基础很牢固，但如果作风问题解决不好，也有可能出现‘霸王别姬’这样的时刻。我们一定要有危机意识。人心向背事关重大，失去了民心，党就有危险.”
The final section of the article talks about what to do next? The answer is to not engage in formalism and for cadres to be enterprising and demonstrate success through their actions.
Next, Li Qiang delivered a speech to the CEOs of major global companies at the China Development Forum on Sunday. Li made three points:
The first perspective: Viewing China’s development vitality from the perspective of the ‘Spring Festival Economy’. Around the Spring Festival this year, a number of phenomenal highlights emerged in China’s economy. The consumer markets such as film, ice and snow, culture and tourism presented various hotspots, demonstrating the enormous potential of domestic economic circulation. Technological breakthroughs represented by start-ups such as the ‘Hangzhou Six Little Dragons’ continue to emerge, showing the huge energy of innovation and creation. The green economy, such as green home appliances and new energy industries, have become popular, showing huge space for transformation and development. The new momentum in different fields continues to accumulate and grow, which will surely bring lasting and vigorous development momentum to China's economy. 第一个视角：从“春节经济”来看中国的发展活力。今年春节前后，中国经济涌现出一批现象级的亮点。电影、冰雪、文旅等消费市场热点纷呈，展现了国内经济循环的巨大潜力。以“杭州六小龙”等初创企业为代表的科技突破不断涌现，展现了创新创造的巨大能量。绿色家电、新能源产业等绿色经济蔚然成风，展现了转型发展的巨大空间。不同领域的新动能不断积蓄壮大，必将为中国经济带来持久旺盛的发展动力.
The second perspective: Understanding China’s economic policies from the Two Sessions. This year, China has set its economic growth target at around 5%, which is based on a deep understanding of China’s economic basic conditions and a firm confidence in its own governance capabilities and future development potential. We will focus on combining increased policy efforts with stimulating market forces to strive for this expected goal. On the one hand, we will implement more proactive and effective macroeconomic policies, further increase countercyclical adjustments, and introduce new incremental policies when necessary to provide strong support for the continued improvement and stable operation of the economy. On the other hand, we will deepen economic system reform, continuously promote the construction of a unified national market, strive to clear the bottlenecks in the economic cycle, further create a good development environment for various business entities, strengthen policy support for corporate innovation and creation, and enhance the internal driving force of development. 第二个视角：从全国两会来读中国的经济政策。今年中国将经济增长目标设定为5%左右，既是源于对中国经济基础条件的深刻把握，也源于对自身治理能力和未来发展潜力的坚定信心。我们将注重加大政策力度与激发市场力量相结合，努力实现这一预期目标。一方面实施更加积极有为的宏观政策，进一步加大逆周期调节力度，必要时推出新的增量政策，为经济持续向好、平稳运行提供有力支撑。另一方面深化经济体制改革，不断推进全国统一大市场建设，着力打通经济循环的堵点卡点，为各类经营主体进一步营造良好发展环境，强化对企业创新创造的政策支持，增强发展内在驱动力.
The third perspective: Think about the right path of world development and progress from the perspective of international changes. Today, the world economy is increasingly fragmented, and instability and uncertainty are rising. This makes it even more necessary for countries to open their markets and for enterprises to share resources, join hands to resist risks and challenges, and achieve common prosperity. China has always closely integrated its own development with global development. It will adhere to the correct direction of economic globalisation, practice true multilateralism, and strive to be a force of stability and certainty in the cause of global peace and development. We will unswervingly promote open cooperation, advocate fair competition under international rules, maintain free trade and smooth and stable global industrial and supply chains, continue to open our arms to welcome enterprises from all countries, further expand market access, actively address corporate concerns, and help foreign-funded enterprises deeply integrate into the Chinese market. I hope that entrepreneurs will be firm defenders and promoters of globalisation, work together and cooperate sincerely, resist unilateralism and protectionism, and achieve greater development through mutual benefit. 第三个视角：从国际变局来思考世界发展进步的人间正道。当今世界经济碎片化加剧、不稳定不确定性上升，更需要国家开放市场、企业共享资源，携手抵御风险挑战、实现共同繁荣。中国始终把自身发展同全球发展紧密结合在一起，将坚持经济全球化正确方向，践行真正的多边主义，努力做全球和平发展事业的稳定性、确定性力量。我们将坚定不移推进开放合作，倡导国际通行规则下的公平竞争，维护自由贸易和全球产业链供应链畅通稳定，继续敞开怀抱欢迎各国企业，进一步扩大市场准入，积极解决企业关切，帮助外资企业深度融入中国市场。希望企业家们做全球化的坚定维护者、推动者，齐心协力、精诚合作，抵制单边主义和保护主义，在互利互惠中实现更大发展.
What’s not in the report is what made headlines for news organisations around the world, i.e., Li’s remark that “We have preparations for possible unexpected shocks, which of course mainly come from external sources. Where necessary, the Chinese government will also introduce new policies to ensure the smooth operation of the Chinese economy.”
Finally, there’s a report informing that since the beginning of this year, a total of 20.208 million consumers have purchased 27.572 million units of 12 major categories of home appliances, driving sales of 93.08 billion yuan.
Page 2: There’s a report informing that a new 14-part show on Xi’s Economic Thought, which has been co-produced by China Media Group and the NDRC, will be airing from today on CCTV.
Page 3: There’s a report on Li Qiang meeting with US Senator Steve Daines and some American business people. Xinhua reports:
“Noting that the development of China-U.S. relations has reached a new important juncture, Li said that history has proven that both China and the United States stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. Both sides should choose dialogue rather than confrontation, and choose win-win cooperation instead of a zero-sum game. It is hoped that the United States will work with China to engage in candid communication, and build trust and clear up misgivings in accordance with the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. They should deepen pragmatic cooperation, and work together to promote the stable, healthy and sustainable development of relations, he said. Li pointed out that economic and trade cooperation is an important foundation of China-U.S. relations. Over the past few decades, the fruitful economic and trade cooperation achieved between China and the United States is the result of joint efforts of both sides and should be cherished. The more difficulties bilateral relations face, the more important it is to safeguard and develop China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation, said the premier. Li said that nobody has to gain from a trade war, and no country can achieve development and prosperity through imposing tariffs. He called on the two countries to solve problems, such as trade imbalance, by making the pie of cooperation bigger. ‘China always welcomes companies from all over the world, including the United States, to share development opportunities in China, and will actively address their legitimate demands, treat domestic and foreign companies as equals, and continue to foster a sound business environment,’ Li said.”
Also on the page is a report on the 20-point consensus achieved at the China-Japan High-Level Economic Dialogue. Some key points:
The two sides basically announced a range of dialogues around the environment and green development; and cooperation in the fields of elderly care services and nursing, and the silver economy
The two sides reached an agreement on further promoting China-Japan third-party market cooperation, jointly evaluating the progress of cooperation projects, and continuing to promote economic cooperation between enterprises in third-party markets.
They will hold a China-Japan policy dialogue on trade in services in Japan in 2025.
In 2025, China and Japan will hold vice-ministerial-level industrial consultations and regular vice-ministerial consultations between China’s Ministry of Commerce and Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry. Continue cooperation in the automotive sector, and continue hosting the China-Japan automotive dialogue.
Both sides will continue ministerial-level dialogues on China-Japan food safety cooperation.
Both sides will strengthen supply chain cooperation and continue to hold China-Japan export control dialogues and government-enterprise exchange activities.
Both sides will hold a China-Japan working group meeting on optimizing the business environment in Japan in 2025 to promote the provision of a fair, transparent and predictable business environment.
Strengthen cooperation in intellectual property protection, including through the China-Japan intellectual property working group.
They will hold a dialogue between Chinese government departments and the China-Japan Chamber of Commerce. They will explore holding a dialogue between Japanese government departments and Chinese enterprise associations in Japan.
Strengthen cooperation under the WTO framework, promote WTO reforms, strive to maintain and enhance a free and open multilateral trade system, keep markets open, and support free trade. Strengthen economic and financial cooperation under mechanisms such as the G20, APEC, and ASEAN+3 (10+3). Ensure transparent, smooth, and effective implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and continue discussions on accelerating China-Japan-South Korea Free Trade Agreement negotiations.
On the issue of the discharge of Fukushima’s nuclear-contaminated water and Japan’s seafood exports to China, China’s opposition to Japan’s unilateral decision to discharge the wastewater remains unchanged. Both sides reaffirm the need for a complete, accurate, and comprehensive understanding of the consensus published on September 20, 2024, confirm the continuation of long-term international monitoring and China’s independent sampling inspections of the wastewater discharge, and agree to conduct relevant consultations on Japan’s seafood exports to China, provided no abnormalities are found in the monitoring results. 关于福岛核污染水排海问题和日本水产品输华问题，中方反对日方单方面启动排海的立场没有变化。双方重申完整准确全面理解2024年9月20日发表的共识，确认持续开展针对排海的长期国际监测和中方独立取样监测，在结果没有异常前提下，就日本水产品输华问题开展相关磋商.
The Japanese readout differs in how it reports the outcomes of the meeting and substantively in some senses too.
For instance, it says:
“With regards to the import restrictions on Japanese aquatic products by China, the two sides expressed their appreciation for the steady implementation of the ‘Shared Recognition between Japan and China’ that was announced last September, and the Japanese side called for the resumption of imports of Japanese aquatic products in the near future. The two sides confirmed to continue to conduct the additional measures under the framework of the IAEA, and concurred on promoting relevant consultations towards the resumption of imports of Japanese aquatic products, on the premise that no abnormalities are seen in the results of the analysis. In addition, with regards to resuming and expanding the import of Japanese agricultural products, the Japanese side, while stating the importance of prioritizing the resolution of issues that can be resolved quickly, once again called for the resumption of Japanese beef imports and the expansion of imports of Japanese rice. Furthermore, the two sides encouraged the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan and the General Administration of Customs of China to utilising the framework of the ‘Japan-China Food Safety Promotion Initiative’ and to continue dialogue between working-level officials.”
“With regards to improving the business environment, Minister Iwaya stated that the cases of Japanese nationals being detained and the lack of transparency regarding the ‘anti-espionage law’ are factors that are restraining Japanese citizens from traveling to China and from conducting business activities in China, and once again called on China for the early release the detained Japanese citizens and to ensure the safety and security of Japanese citizens in China. Having said that, the Japanese side called for the establishment of a fair, predictable and transparent business environment. Further, Minister Iwaya conveyed Japan’s concerns including on China’s export restrictions on critical minerals, preferential treatment of domestic companies and domestic products in its government procurement, anti-dumping investigations against Japanese companies, restrictions on cross-border data transfers and the economic impact of its excessive competition and called for the revision of these measures and response by the Chinese side. The two sides confirmed the importance of continuing dialogue through the Japan-China Export Control Dialogue and concurred on holding the 2nd Japan-China Business Environment Facilitation Working Group in Japan this year. The two sides also confirmed the importance of strengthening cooperation on protecting intellectual property including through holding the Japan-China Joint IP Working Group. In addition, considerations will be made by the Chinese side on holding dialogue with the Japan Chamber Commerce and Industry in China and by the Japanese side to communicate with the China Enterprises Association (Japan).”
Some of Wang’s remarks at this meeting are also worth noting. He said:
Since the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, bilateral trade has increased more than 300 times and has remained at a high level of 300 billion U.S. dollars for 15 consecutive years, with the accumulative bilateral investment reaching nearly 140 billion U.S. dollars. The economic outcomes proved that China and Japan are partners, not rivals.
Amid profound adjustments in the global economic landscape, rising unilateral protectionism, and setbacks to economic globalization, China and Japan, as major world economies, should establish a correct understanding of each other, demonstrate responsibilities, seek development with innovative thinking, add momentum to cooperation and mutual benefit, and reduce obstacles and differences.
The two countries should uphold the tradition of promoting political relations through economic cooperation, expand dialogue and exchanges across all sectors to cultivate new growth drivers, Wang said. Enterprises from both countries should be encouraged to collaborate in artificial intelligence, the digital economy, energy conservation, environmental protection, and green trade. Cooperation in medical and elderly care industries will be further strengthened to foster the ‘silver economy’. The two countries should expand third-market cooperation to benefit the Global South, support each other in the successful hosting of the Osaka Expo and the China International Import Expo, while promoting regional cooperation, Wang said.
The two sides will work to avoid the politicization of economic security in order to maintain stable and smooth industrial and supply chains. Upholding Asian values, the two countries should advocate openness over isolation, and promote inclusiveness over exclusiveness, Wang noted. Negotiations for the China-Japan-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement should be resumed and the process of establishing an Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area should be advanced.
While in Japan, Wang met with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya. The Chinese readout says:
“Wang Yi said that China and Japan are important neighbours to each other, and the significance of their relations goes beyond the bilateral scope. In the face of an international situation full of uncertainties, both sides should implement the important consensus reached by their leaders, uphold the principles of facing history squarely and looking toward the future, enhance mutual trust and dispel doubts, build consensus, maintain the correct direction of bilateral relations, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, and promote stable and long-term development of China-Japan relations, contributing to peace and prosperity for both nations and Asia as a whole.” 王毅表示，中日互为重要近邻，两国关系意义超越双边范畴。面对充满不确定性的国际局势，双方应落实好两国领导人重要共识，坚持正视历史、面向未来，增信释疑、凝聚共识，维护两国关系正确方向，深化各领域互利合作，推动双边关系行稳致远，为两国和亚洲和平繁荣作出贡献.
“Wang Yi emphasised that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Correctly understanding and treating history was an important prerequisite for Japan’s return to the international community after the war, a political foundation for Japan to develop relations with neighbouring countries, and an important criterion for testing whether Japan can abide by its commitment to peaceful development. The four political documents between China and Japan have made clear provisions on history and the Taiwan issue, which must be strictly observed and should not be blurred or regressed. The China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship states that the provisions of the China-Japan Joint Statement should be strictly observed, indicating that the the statement and the treaty are inseparable and together constitute a legally-binding guiding document for bilateral relations, which must be faithfully observed and must not be distorted or undermined. The momentum of improvement in China-Japan relations has not come easily, and it is particularly important to maintain the political foundation of the relationship between the two countries.” 王毅强调，今年是中国人民抗日战争暨世界反法西斯战争胜利80周年。正确认识和对待历史，是日本战后重返国际社会的重要前提，是日本同周边国家发展关系的政治基础，更是检验日本能否恪守和平发展承诺的重要标准。中日四个政治文件对历史和台湾问题作出明确规定，必须严格履行，不应模糊倒退。中日和平友好条约载明中日联合声明的各项规定应予严格遵守，表明声明连同条约一体，构成具有法律约束力的两国关系指导文件，必须一同恪守，不容歪曲破坏。中日关系的改善势头来之不易，维护好两国关系政治基础尤为紧要.
The Japanese readout of the meeting said:
“The two foreign ministers agreed to deepen discussions on economic issues that will benefit the people of both countries at the Japan-China High-Level Economic Dialogue, the first in six years, which will be held following the foreign ministers' meeting. Minister Iwaya called for the early lifting of import restrictions on Japanese aquatic products. In addition, the two foreign ministers confirmed that they would promote mutually beneficial and practical cooperation in a wide range of fields, including the green economy and measures to deal with the declining birthrate and aging population. Minister Iwaya expressed Japan’s serious concerns about the situation in the East China Sea, including the situation surrounding the Senkaku Islands, and the intensification of Chinese military activities, and urged the Chinese side to address these issues. Minister Iwaya also called for the immediate removal of the buoy installed in Japan’s EEZ to the south of Yonaguni Island. The two ministers concurred on holding the Japan-China Security Dialogue, which is currently being coordinated, at the earliest possible date in order to deepen communication in the field of security. With regards to Taiwan, Minister Iwaya stated that Japan is closely monitoring relevant developments, including the military activities, and reiterated that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is extremely important for the international community, including Japan. Minister Iwaya also encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues, and opposed any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion. In addition, Minister Iwaya once again expressed Japan’s serious concerns about the situations in the South China Sea, Hong Kong, Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and others. Minister Iwaya, pointed out that the cases of Japanese nationals being detained and the lack of transparency regarding the ‘anti-espionage law’ are factors that cause Japanese people to be hesitant about traveling to China and create a chilling effect on Japanese business in China, called for the early release of Japanese nationals who are being detained. In addition, Minister Iwaya requested to continue to take appropriate measures to ensure the safety and security of Japanese citizens. The two foreign ministers also exchanged views on the response to North Korea, including the nuclear and missile issues and the abduction issue. In addition, the two foreign ministers agreed to vitalize dialogue between authorities on the regional situation and global issues.”
Among Wang’s other meetings were a chat with secretary general of Japan’s National Security Secretariat Masataka Okano. He also met with Prime Minister Ishiba. Wang told Ishiba that:
“China and Japan, both with significant influence, have a common mission to work together to build a better future for Asia. In the face of the complex international situation and emerging global challenges, the two sides should enhance mutual trust and strengthen cooperation to provide more stability and certainty to the world. Wang Yi stressed that as close neighbors separated by a strip of water, treating each other with sincerity, keeping good faith and pursuing harmony are the correct ways to be neighbors. The Japanese side should adhere to the principles of four political documents between the two countries, including the China-Japan Joint Statement, safeguard the political and legal foundation for bilateral relations, and earnestly fulfill important political commitments on historical issues and the Taiwan question. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. Wang Yi expressed the hope that at this important juncture, the Japanese side will make a wise choice and send the right signal to the world with a responsible attitude toward history, the people and the future.”
Back to the paper, there’s a report (English report) on He Lifeng’s meeting with CEOs of Apple, Pfizer, Brookfield Asset Management, Medtronic, Mastercard, Eli Lily, Cargill and Corning Incorporated. The report says that “they exchanged views on the global and Chinese economic situation, China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation, and expanding investment in China. Noting that China’s economy has strong resilience, vast potential and ample vitality, He said China is committed to promoting high-quality development, expanding high-standard opening up, and continuously improving the business environment, while welcoming increased investment by multinational companies in China to share in the country’s development opportunities.”