On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, representatives gathered in Beijing for a meeting of Leaders of the Chinese and Japanese Nongovernmental Organizations to fully exchange views on further carrying out people-to-people friendly exchanges and cooperation and promoting a long-term steady and healthy development of China-Japan relations under the new situation. The Declaration of Action jointly released declares

First, we deem that in the past 40 years since the normalization of diplomatic relations, with the concerted efforts by both sides, China-Japan relationship has witnessed significant development in every field, bringing great benefit to both countries and peoples and making important contributions to peace, stability and prosperity of the Asian-Pacific region and the world at large. We will continue to make full use of the advantages of people-to-people friendship, promote exchanges and cooperation between the two countries in various fields covering politics, economy, culture, education, science and technology, sports, trade unions, women’s affairs, news media, youth and local government and further enrich the contents of the China-Japan strategic relations of mutual benefit.

Second, we will, as always, observe the principles set forth in the four political documents including the Sino-Japanese Joint Statement and in the spirit of “taking history as a mirror and looking to the future” enhance mutual political trust, safeguard the overall interests of China-Japan friendship and consolidate the political basis of the bilateral relations.

Third, we hold that China and Japan are most important trade partners with strong economic complementarities creating a huge potential in cooperation. Under the current global economic situation, it is most important that the two countries strengthen communication, coordination and mutually beneficial cooperation. We will intensify our efforts to boost practical cooperation in the fields of energy conservation, recycle economy, new energy, new materials and finance, push forward transformation and upgrade of bilateral economic and trade cooperation, foster new growth areas in the economy so as to achieve win-win results and common development.

Fourth, the foundation of China-Japan friendship lies among the people. The future of China-Japan friendship relies on youth. We will take the 40th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations and the Year of Exchanges and Friendship Between the Two Peoples as an opportunity to further boost cultural exchanges, particularly friendly exchanges between the youth. We will increase interaction between the two peoples to enhance mutual understanding and friendly sentiments between the two peoples, foster successors to the cause of China-Japan friendship and let the spirit of China-Japan friendship take root in the hearts of the people and pass on from generation to generation.

Fifth, we deeply cherish the memory of the older generations of friendly personages of the two countries who have made great contributions to the development of China-Japan relations. We are determined to carry forward their behest and the spirit of China-Japan friendship, advance with the times and strive for opening up new prospects of the cause of China-Japan friendship and achieving the lofty goals of “peaceful coexistence, lasting friendship, mutually beneficial cooperation and common development”.

The China-Japan Friendship Association
The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries
The All-China Federation of Trade Unions
The All-China Youth Federation
The All-China Women’s Federation
The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade
The Japan-China Friendship Association
The Japanese Council for the Promotion of International Trade
The Japan-China Cultural Exchange Association
The Dietmen’s League for Japan-China Friendship
The Japan-China Association for Economy and Trade
The Japan-China Society
The Japan-China Friendship Center