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of Friendship and Cooperation for Peace and Development
(Provisional Translation of the Japanese Foreign Ministry)
26 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.
This
material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin Center for
Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and
does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently
verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2007
by MIIS.
