Beijing, December 25th—Song Tao, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), met here today with a delegation led by Banri Kaieda, Member of Japan's House of Representatives, Top Advisor to Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and head of Japan-China Association for the 21st Century.

Song pointed out that currently, China-Japan relations continue to improve and develop. Two days ago, President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met again and stressed that both sides should make joint efforts to build China-Japan relations that fit the needs of the new era, charting the course for the development of bilateral relations in the next stage. Exchanges among political parties are an important part of China-Japan relations. The CPC attaches great importance to friendly exchanges with all political parties in Japan, including the Constitutional Democratic Party, stands ready to work together with Japan, from a strategic and long-term perspective, grasp the relations between the two countries, implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, cement the public opinion foundation of China-Japan friendship, promote China-Japan relations to a new level, not only to better benefit the two peoples, but also make greater contributions to regional peace and development. It is expected that the Constitutional Democratic Party and Japan-China Association for the 21st Century will continue to play a positive role in promoting China-Japan friendship.

Kaieda said, the Constitutional Democratic Party and Japan-China Association for the 21st Century are committed to improving and developing Japan-China relations, and are willing to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the CPC to turn a new page in Japan-China relations. The Japanese side is looking forward to President Xi's state visit to Japan next spring and will strive to create a good atmosphere for the visit and ensure its complete success.

Wang Yajun, Vice-minister of the IDCPC, was present.

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