On June. 27th, CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin met with the delegation headed by Mr. Ota Akihiro, the Japanese Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Wang Xiuyun, Director-General of Department of Japanese Affairs and Vice President of China-Japan Friendship Association, H.E. Mr. Kitera Masato, the Japanese Ambassador to China were present at the meeting.

President Li Xiaolin extended her welcome to Minister Ota, and highly praised the years’ efforts and contributions made by New Komeito (New Komei Party) and Minister Ota, on improving China-Japan relations. President Li said, China and Japan are neighboring countries with long lasting history of friendly contact, separated only by a strip of water. But it is distressing that China-Japan relation is now at the most difficult period since the normalization of the diplomatic ties between the two countries, because of a series of wrong words and deeds of the Japanese government and leaders. The older generation of the leaders of the two countries used to fight each others at the war, but for sake of fundamental and long-term interests, they still could disregard their enmity and swear No War between China and Japan Anymore, thus finally realized the normalization of the diplomatic ties of China and Japan. She wished the Japanese national leaders to make pragmatic efforts, to properly handle the current problems jointly with China, and push China-Japan relations back to normal track as soon as possible.

President Li said, since the CPAFFC was established 60 years ago, it has been always engaged in enhancing the friendship between the Chinese people and the world and safeguarding the world peace. It established cordial cooperations and deep friendship with the Japanese friendly forces from various circles, including Soka Gakkai (Value-Creating Education Society) and New Komeito. In the future, the CPAFFC will continuously promote friendly exchanges and pragmatic cooperation between China and Japan, and dedicate to improving the development of China-Japan relation.

Minister Ota thanks President Li for taking time for the meeting in her tight schedule. He said, “as a political party of pacifism, the New Komeito alway insists Japan should be a country of peace. We should cherish the friendly relation between China and Japan, which was established through the hard work of the older generation. We also have responsibility to pass their spirit to the younger generation. New Komeito and I myself would like to play more important roles in improving Japan-China relations.

President Li also briefed Minister Ota about the status of the conference marking 60th anniversary of the establishment of the CPAFFC, and CPAFFC’s present nongovernmental diplomatic works on the Japanese affairs.