On September 28, 2009, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met in Shanghai with his Japanese counterpart Katsuya Okada, who is here for the third trilateral foreign ministers' meeting of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK).

Yang once again congratulated Katsuya Okada on his appointment as Japanese foreign minister and appreciated the contributions made by the Democratic Party of Japan to boosting and safeguarding China-Japan relations. Yang pointed out that during Chinese President Hu Jintao's successful state visit to Japan in May, 2008, the leaders of the two countries signed the fourth political document between both sides, drawing up a blueprint for the future development of bilateral ties and pushing the relations to a new historical starting point. Yang hailed President Hu's recent meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. "They reached important consensus on advancing the strategic and mutually beneficial China-Japan relationship and made a sound new start in bilateral ties," Yang said. "The Chinese government attaches great importance to ties with Japan. It will continue the policy of friendship between the two states, and work along with the new Japanese cabinet to push forward bilateral strategic and mutually beneficial relations based on the spirit and principles set in the four political documents while sticking to the general direction of improving and developing bilateral ties," he said.

As Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao is slated to chair the trilateral leaders' meeting of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea in Beijing on October 10, China will work along with the two countries to ensure the meeting a success, he noted.

Okada agreed with Yang's comments on bilateral ties and the meeting of leaders of China, Japan and ROK, saying Japan and China need each other. Amid the current developments and changes of the Asian situation, it's necessary for the two countries to establish a mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests and mutual trust and join hands to build the future of bilateral ties. Okada said he has long been committed to advancing Japan-China relations, pledging that as foreign minister of Japan, he is ready to make efforts for the further development of bilateral ties.

Okada said Japan will adopt open regionalism, actively advance Japan's Asian foreign policy and strive to build an East Asian Community. Yang, in response, said that the development of bilateral ties not only brings important interests to both sides, but also promotes peace, stability and prosperity of Asia and the world at large. China was among the first countries that initiated and supported the building of an East Asian Community. "China has actively participated in East Asia cooperation and its integration process. China will continuously promote such an endeavor with an open mind and joint efforts from all sides," Yang said.

Both sides also exchanged views on other issues of common concern.