Xi Urges Takaichi to Reflect on History of Aggression, Citing Murayama Statement [Gyeongju APEC]

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held a summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, on the 31st, on the occasion of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit. During the meeting, President Xi referred to the Murayama Statement and delivered a message to Japan, emphasizing that it should "deeply reflect on its history of aggression."

Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi shake hands ahead of the China-Japan summit held in Gyeongju on the 31st. Photo by Yonhap News

According to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, President Xi stated during the summit that "the long-term, healthy, and stable development of China-Japan relations meets the universal expectations of the peoples of both countries and the international community." He stressed that Japan's new cabinet should establish a correct understanding of China and maintain the direction of peace, friendship, and cooperation.

He presented five directions for the development of bilateral relations. First, he called for adherence to major agreements between China and Japan, and faithful implementation of the content stipulated in the four political documents concerning key principles such as history and the Taiwan issue. In particular, he mentioned that the Murayama Statement deeply reflected on Japan's history of aggression and included an apology to victimized countries, emphasizing that "this spirit must continue to be upheld."

He also stated that cooperation and mutual benefit should be expanded in areas such as advanced manufacturing and the digital economy, in order to jointly safeguard the multilateral trading system and the stability of supply chains. He suggested strengthening exchanges between governments, political parties, and legislative bodies, as well as expanding cultural and regional exchanges to improve public sentiment.

President Xi said that true multilateralism should be practiced through multilateral cooperation, and that efforts should be made to build an Asia-Pacific community. He further stated that both countries should manage differences from a broad perspective and expand common ground so that conflicts do not define the relationship. He emphasized, "China hopes to work with Japan to uphold the political foundation of bilateral relations based on the principles and direction outlined in the four political documents, and to build a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship that befits a new era."

The "four major political documents between China and Japan" refer to four statements and treaties concluded between the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations. These include the 1972 China-Japan Joint Communique issued at the time of normalization, the 1978 Treaty of Peace and Friendship between China and Japan, the 1998 Joint Declaration on Building a Partnership of Peace and Friendship for the 21st Century, and the 2008 Joint Statement on Comprehensive Promotion of a Mutually Beneficial Relationship Based on Common Strategic Interests. These documents include the principle of "One China" and respect for territorial integrity.

According to CCTV, Prime Minister Takaichi said, "Japan will maintain high-level exchanges with China, keep close communication at all levels, and steadily promote the strategic and mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries by enhancing understanding and cooperation."

The Chinese side reported that Prime Minister Takaichi stated, "With regard to the Taiwan issue, Japan will continue to uphold the position expressed in the 1972 China-Japan Joint Communique."