TL;DR
He Lifeng encourages Japanese investment in China while state media expresses serious concern over Japan's shifting security posture.
Key Points
He Lifeng met with a Japanese business delegation in February 2025 to encourage continued investment in China.
During a July 2025 visit to Osaka, he worked to promote a strategic and mutually beneficial relationship with Japan.
State media expressed serious concern in November 2025 over Japan’s potential policy shift away from the Three Non-Nuclear Principles.
Summary
He Lifeng’s public engagement with Japan centers on promoting economic ties and cooperation, particularly in the context of trade and investment. He encouraged Japanese companies to continue investing and developing within China during a meeting with a Japanese business delegation in February 2025, emphasizing the deeply integrated economies and shared interests of both nations. He expressed the hope that the Japanese business community would actively contribute to a win-win cooperation, aligning with China's drive for high-level opening-up.
Conversely, official Chinese commentary, relayed through the Foreign Ministry, expresses grave concern regarding Japan’s recent military and security developments, specifically referencing ambiguous statements on nuclear principles and discussions about acquiring nuclear-powered submarines. This policy shift is viewed as sending a dangerous signal, raising questions about Japan’s commitment to peaceful development, especially concerning Taiwan. While He Lifeng champions economic partnership, broader state communications reflect apprehension over Japan’s strategic direction.
Key Quotes
China is willing to work with Japan to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and jointly promote a strategic and mutually beneficial relationship, so as to build a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship that meets the needs of the new era
Frequently Asked Questions
He Lifeng's position on Japan exhibits a dual focus. On the economic front, he actively encourages Japanese investment and cooperation to foster mutually beneficial outcomes. However, the official state messaging reflects deep concern regarding Japan's evolving security and defense posture.
Yes, He Lifeng has engaged with Japanese representatives on multiple occasions, including meeting a business delegation in February 2025 and attending the Expo 2025 Osaka in July 2025. During these events, he stressed the importance of a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship.
Official statements from the Foreign Ministry cite serious concern over recent Japanese military and security moves, such as ambiguous stances on nuclear principles and discussions of acquiring nuclear-powered submarines. China views these as a major negative policy shift that challenges Japan's commitment to peaceful development.
Sources4
Chinese vice premier encourages Japanese companies to invest and develop in China
Chinese vice premier attends China Pavilion Day at Osaka Expo
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on November 14, 2025
U.S. and China trade chiefs to meet mid-March before Trump-Xi summit
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.