Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized the need to modernize Sino-Japanese economic cooperation during the sixth China-Japan High-Level Economic Dialogue in Tokyo on Saturday, calling for innovation-driven partnerships to counter global protectionism.
A Partnership Forged in Trade Growth
Wang noted that bilateral trade has surged over 300 times since diplomatic normalization, maintaining $300 billion annually for 15 years. Cumulative two-way investment stands at $140 billion, reflecting deep industrial integration. "China and Japan are partners, not rivals," Wang stated, highlighting how economic collaboration has delivered tangible benefits to both nations.
Next-Generation Cooperation Frameworks
With global economic headwinds challenging growth, Wang proposed expanding cooperation in artificial intelligence, digital economies, and green technology. He urged faster implementation of government-enterprise communication channels and removal of discriminatory trade barriers. Joint efforts to revive China-Japan-ROK Free Trade Agreement negotiations and optimize the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) were also prioritized.
Uniting Against Protectionism
The dialogue produced consensus on enhancing macroeconomic coordination and exploring regional cooperation models. Participants discussed strategies to combine China's manufacturing scale with Japan\'s technological expertise, particularly in semiconductor supply chain resilience and carbon neutrality initiatives.
