On April 11, 2009, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council met with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso in Pattaya, Thailand.

Wen said that China and Japan share more common interests and responsibilities as the international financial crisis continues to spread and deepen. Both sides should, with a high sense of responsibility and mission, strengthen cooperation and join hands to address the challenges and promote the strategic reciprocal relations, and contribute to the peace and development of Asia and the world. Wen also said that China and Japan should maintain close high-level contacts and exchanges, which are conducive to enhancing political mutual trust. "I welcome Prime Minister Aso's visit to China in the near future. I'm also looking forward to the second tripartite summit among China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea (ROK) to be held in China later this year. China is willing to work with Japan to appropriately handle sensitive issues in bilateral relations based on the principles laid down in the four bilateral political documents and relevant understandings, enhance friendship between the two peoples and ensure the sound and stable development of China-Japan relations."

Prime Minister Aso spoke positively of the continuous improvement and consolidation of bilateral relations. Japan also attaches great importance to the relations with China. "I'm looking forward to visiting China and discussing with China on how to strengthen bilateral exchanges and cooperation, jointly combat the financial crisis and push forward bilateral ties." Prime Minister Aso also expressed Japan's position on the recent rocket launch by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Premier Wen stressed that maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia is in the common interest of all related parties, including China and Japan. The UN Security Council is discussing the recent rocket launch by DPRK, over which all parties have voiced their concerns. China believes that the issue should be dealt with out of the consideration for the maintenance of peace and stability in Northeast Asia and for pushing forward the six-party talks and the denuclearization process of the Korean Peninsula. The UN Security Council's reaction should be moderate and proper and all parties should keep calm, show restraint and work together to properly address the issue.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi also expounded on China's principles and position on DPRK's rocket launch during an exchange of views with Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone.