Li Qiang on Japan

Li Qiang, as Premier, has articulated a position toward Japan emphasizing the need to return bilateral relations to a track of sound development based on the original aspiration of normalization. This stance is rooted in the consensus reached between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, which frames the two nations as partners, not threats to each other. He explicitly hopes Japan will manage sensitive political matters, specifically history and the Taiwan issue, in a way that upholds foundational political understandings.

His engagement often centers on fostering deep economic integration, viewing robust trade as the ballast and propeller of the overall relationship. He has called for increased cooperation with the Japanese business community in high-potential sectors like technological innovation, digital economy, and green development to ensure mutually beneficial outcomes. Furthermore, he expressed hope for reciprocal fair treatment, urging Japan to provide an open, fair, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises operating there.