Jiang Jianguo addresses 13th Beijing-Tokyo Forum

The 13th Beijing-Tokyo Forum opened Saturday in Beijing, with over 500 experts, former officials and representatives from China and Japan discussing issues of building an open world economic order and maintaining peace in Asia.

Jiang Jianguo, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and minister of the State Council Information Office, hailed the forum as an important platform for discussing the world economy and peace between China and Japan.

In his keynote speech at the opening ceremony, Jiang said that in the "new era," China will continue to implement a "mutual benefit" and "win-win" strategy, promote the "international cooperation" of the country's Belt and Road Initiative and push forward economic globalization.

"China will work together with Japan and other countries, sharing the fruits of development and creating a'community of shared future for mankind,'" he added. 

Zhang Fuhai, president of China International Publishing Group (CIPG), said that although the relationship between China and Japan has improved over the past several years, complex factors still exist for some issues. 

Zhang told the forum that he hoped the two countries could promote communication and cooperation in multiple ways. 

"In the'new era,' we hope to build an open economic environment for both sides, helping Chinese and Japanese people have a better life," said Kong Xuanyou, assistant foreign minister and special envoy on Korean peninsula affairs of China.

Yasushi Akashi, former deputy executive secretary of the United Nations, said both sides should remain true to their original aspirations and have better cooperation. Shared interests in politics, diplomacy and the economy will push forward development in the two countries, Akashi argued.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, the highest-ranked Japanese representative at the forum, said the world is now at a turning point and that both China and Japan should be considering the future. The two sides should devote themselves "heart-to-heart" in promoting peace and development in Asia and the world.

CIPG and the Japanese nonprofit think tank Genron NPO continued to co-host the forum for this year. Since being inaugurated in 2005, the annual Beijing-Tokyo Forum has been held alternately between the two capitals, aiming to improve bilateral relations and deepen understanding between China and Japan.