The Chinese Embassy in Japan on Sept 26 hosted a grand reception to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

The event in Tokyo drew around 1,300 attendees, including representatives from various sectors in Japan, members of the overseas Chinese community, as well as diplomats and military attaches from embassies in Japan.

At the reception, Ambassador Wu Jianghao highlighted that over the past 75 years, under the strong leadership of the Communist Party of China, successive generations of the Chinese people have worked tirelessly to achieve remarkable development milestones. He stressed that, particularly in the new era, China is making great progress toward building a strong nation and achieving national rejuvenation.

Wu underscored the importance of maintaining a healthy and stable relationship between China and Japan, noting that it serves the core interests of both countries and directly impacts the well-being of their citizens. He also emphasized its broader significance for promoting peace and stability in the region and globally.

"China-Japan relations still face many challenges and difficulties. Both sides must remain committed to the original spirit of peace and friendship, using wisdom, shouldering responsibility, and working together to manage and resolve issues, ensuring the relationship stays on the right course," the envoy said.

Addressing a recent incident in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, where a Japanese boy died after a knife attack, Wu expressed deep sorrow.

"We deeply mourn the tragic loss of the child. China will investigate and handle the case in accordance with the law and will firmly combat all forms of violent crime," Wu said.

He called on both China and Japan to calmly and appropriately manage the situation, continue taking effective measures to safeguard each other's citizens, and remain committed to strengthening exchanges and fostering mutual understanding.

Natsuo Yamaguchi, leader of Japan's ruling coalition party Komeito, commended the People's Republic of China for successfully navigating numerous challenges since its founding and achieving significant development.

He recalled the contributions made by Komeito's founder in paving the way for the normalization of relations between Japan and China.

"The essence of the Japan-China Treaty of Peace and Friendship is that both nations should not pose a threat to one another and should avoid seeking hegemony. With this spirit in mind, I firmly believe that Japan and China must continue to cooperate, working together toward global peace and prosperity," Yamaguchi said.

He also pointed out that public opinion in Japan and China serves as a mirror, reflecting each nation's image. By carefully observing what is reflected in this mirror, people on both sides can gain better understanding of each other's circumstances.

"Building on the spirit of the Japan-China Treaty of Peace and Friendship, we must maintain our dialogue and foster trust," Yamaguchi said, underscoring the importance of strengthening the momentum of exchanges between the two countries.

Kosei Shindo, head of the Japan-China Economic Association, voiced his delight at the recent visits by numerous provincial and municipal leaders from China to Japan. These leaders have engaged in direct discussions with the Japanese business community and have actively promoted investment by highlighting the attractions of various regions.

Additionally, Shindo noted that the recent announcement regarding the resumption of Chinese imports of Japanese marine products is a positive development.

He emphasized that the most crucial issue is whether a safe and secure business environment is being maintained.

"By addressing the root causes of concern, we in the Japanese business community strongly hope that Japanese companies will be able to actively re-engage in exchanges with China," Shindo said.

"As neighboring countries, it is essential that we understand and respect one another. This will not only foster the development of both nations but will also contribute to the prosperity of the East Asian region and the world as a whole."

Reflecting on the current state of affairs, Takeshi Noda, president of the Japan-China Society, said that people are undoubtedly experiencing one of the most challenging periods in Japan-China relations that he has witnessed.

"At this critical juncture, it is crucial for Japan and China to remember that, no matter what happens, our two nations must never again resort to armed conflict," said Noda.

He stressed that the primary task now is to identify ways to bridge differences, which is a shared responsibility of both governments.

"To move forward, it is essential to foster even more meaningful exchanges between our peoples. Creating an environment conducive to honest and open dialogue is key," he added.

While both sides have their respective interests, it is vital to seek solutions that ensure not only short-term benefits but also long-term stability and a prosperous future for both nations, said Noda. He highlighted that private sector exchanges play a crucial role in this process, as they can ultimately drive political progress.