On September 9, 2009, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met at the Great Hall of the People with the delegation of Japan-China Economic Association, headed by its president Fujio Mitarai.

Wen said adherence to China-Japan friendship and mutually-beneficial cooperation is in the fundamental interests of both countries and peoples and is also conducive to stability and development in Asia. "China appreciates the active attitude of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) leader toward the relationship with China and is ready to strengthen communication and cooperation with Japan's new Cabinet," Wen said. China expects to work together with Japan to enhance mutual trust, carry forward traditional ties and boost strategic and mutually beneficial relations between the two countries.

Wen pointed out that no single country or region alone can recover from the global financial crisis. As two of the world's major economies, China and Japan were important trade partners and should join hands to tackle the challenges, Wen said. He called on both governments to enhance macro economic policy coordination and to oppose trade protectionism. Both countries' business sectors should overcome difficulties, work more effectively and make unremitting efforts to boost economic recovery and sustainable growth.

Mitarai congratulated on the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, expressing hope that both countries will continuously advance strategic relations of mutual benefit. He hailed China's stimulus package as effective. He said it is very important for Japan and China to join hands in coping with the global financial crisis. Japan is ready to further cooperation with China on trade, investment, and environmental protection and participate more actively in regional development programs in northeastern, central and western China, so as to usher in a new era for bilateral trade cooperation, Mitarai said.