Japanese Non-governmental Groups Issue Statements Condemning Sanae Takaichi's Erroneous Remarks
In response to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous?public?remarks on Taiwan?issues, Japanese non-governmental groups and friendly personages?issued statements?of?strong opposition, urging?the Japanese government to follow?the spirit of the four political documents between China and Japan and take measures to prevent China-Japan relations from falling into stalemate.On November 17, 2025, Tokuichiro Utsunomiya, President of the Japan-China Friendship Association?(JCFA), released a public statement pointing out that Takaichi's remarks are extremely erroneous. The statement?noted that in today's turbulent world, it is essential to bring stability and hope to the world with?Japan-China friendship. However, Sanae Takaichi made erroneous remarks in the congress, claiming?that "a?Taiwan Emergency constitutes?a?survival-threatening situation?for Japan".?The association expressed?deep concerns?that such remarks would severely damage Japan-China relations and strongly urged the Japanese government to take effective measures in line with the spirit of the four political documents between Japan and China to improve the current situation.On November 18, Hisashi Inoue, President of?JCFA, publicly issued a statement titled "Protest against Prime Minister Takaichi's Remarks 'A Taiwan Emergency constitutes?a survival-threatening situation?for Japan'?and Demand for Its Immediate Retraction". The statement noted?that the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair and that the statement about so-called "survival-threatening situation for Japan"?itself is an interference in China's internal affairs, violating the Japanese government's commitment to the one-China principle as stated in the 1972 Japan-China?joint statement. Takaichi's remarks have abruptly heightened tensions in Japan-China relations and are dangerous statements that could drag Japan into war. The association strongly protested?against it?and demanded an immediate retraction.Noriyuki Kawamura,?emeritus professor at Nagoya University of Foreign Studies and Vice President of the Japan-China Relations Society, said?in an interview that all Japanese experts he knows believe that Takaichi's remarks are extremely erroneous and she should immediately retract her erroneous remarks. The Japan-China joint statement clearly stipulates?that Japanese government recognizes the one-China principle and respects the position that "Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory."?This is the cornerstone of China-Japan relations, and it is extremely important to uphold and safeguard this principle.
Vice President Yuan Mindao Meets with Maltese Minister of Agriculture Delegation
On November 11,?2025,?Vice President?Yuan Mindao of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met with a delegation led by Anton Refalo, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries?and Animal Rights of Malta at the CPAFFC.Vice President Yuan Mindao extended a welcome to Minister Refalo and the delegation. He highlighted the guiding principles of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, emphasizing that China will steadfastly advance high-quality development and high-level opening-up, and stand ready?to share opportunities and promote mutual development with all countries. Yuan emphasized that the CPAFFC attaches great importance to?advancing exchanges with Malta?and other European countries, and stands ready to better build bridges for people-to-people exchanges, practical cooperation, cultural exchanges, and youth friendship, to promote the stable and long-term development of China-Europe and China-Malta relations.Minister Refalo spoke highly of the traditional friendship and cooperation between Malta and China. He expressed that Malta?is ready?to strengthen economic, trade, and cultural?exchanges with China, and work?together?for global prosperity and stability.John Busuttil,?Maltese Ambassador to China;?Lyu?Hongwei,?Deputy Director-General of the Department of European and Asian Affairs of the CPAFFC;?among others, were present at the meeting.
Vice President Shen Xin Attends the 6th U.S.-China Hong Kong Forum
On November 17, 2025, the 6th U.S.-China Hong Kong Forum, co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the China-United States?Exchange Foundation (CUSEF), kicked off in Hong Kong. With the theme of "Circles?for?Peace", the forum gathered over?300 participants from political, economic, academic, scientific, technological, educational and other sectors. They came from China and the U.S., as well as Asian countries including India, Singapore and Bangladesh.?Vice President?Shen Xin of the CPAFFC; John Zhao, Chairman of the China-United States?Exchange Foundation; and Charlene Barshefsky, Chairperson of the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, attended the opening address?and the high-level conversation. Xie Feng, Ambassador?of China?to the U.S., delivered a video address.In the?speech, Shen Xin noted that when President Xi Jinping met with President Donald Trump in Busan, he pointed out that China and the United States should be partners and friends. That is what history has taught us and what reality needs. President Trump also stated that China is the biggest partner of the U.S., and the two countries can get many great things done for the world and?have many years of success. Shen Xin emphasized that people from all walks of life in the two countries should adhere to the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, and actively implement the important consensus reached at the meeting between the heads of the two states.?Shen elaborated on the guiding principles?of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, expressing that in the next five years, China's opening-up and cooperation will reach a new level in both breadth and depth. Despite external pressures and the resurgence of protectionism, China remains firmly committed to expanding high-standard opening-up and institutional opening-up, which will surely provide broader space for China-U.S.?cooperation. Additionally, he shared the story of Kuliang,?which shows an enduring China-U.S.?bond of love, friendship and understanding, and examples of?China-U.S.?sister-city exchanges. He hoped?that Chinese and American visionaries?from the two?nations would actively contribute to the people-to-people friendship between the two countries?and strive to promote the stable, sound and sustainable development of China-U.S.?relations.Shen also attended a?dialogue under the theme "From the Ground Up: Strengthening U.S.–China Ties Through People", in which?he conducted in-depth discussions on?enhancing people-to-people exchanges between the two countries with Neil Bush, Chairman of the George H.W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations, and Nicole Kruse, Vice President of the Carter Center.?
Vice President Yuan Mindao Meets with Chairman of San Marino-China Friendship Association Barbara Terenzi
On November 10, 2025, Vice President Yuan Mindao of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met with Barbara Terenzi, Chairman of the San Marino-China Friendship Association, at the CPAFFC.Yuan spoke highly of?the long-standing and remarkable contribution?of the San Marino-China Friendship Association to promoting friendly exchanges between China and San Marino. He underlined the CPAFFC's readiness?to?work with the San Marino-China Friendship Association to jointly serve?as bridges for people-to-people exchanges, practical cooperation, cultural exchanges, and youth friendship?between the two countries,?taking?China-San Marino relations to new heights.Barbara expressed appreciation?for the warm reception?by the CPAFFC. She noted that 2026 will mark the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between San Marino and China, and that she will?work with the Chinese side to further deepen people-to-people?exchanges, expand practical cooperation, and constantly enhance the friendship between the two peoples.
Vice President Yuan Mindao Meets with Delegation from Hokkaido Japan-China Friendship Association
On November 10, Vice President?Yuan Mindao of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met in Beijing with a delegation from the Hokkaido Japan-China Friendship Association?led by its President?Sasaki Masafumi.Yuan welcomed the delegation to China, noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, a significant occasion to commemorate history and reflect on the value of peace. He expressed hope that the Hokkaido Japan-China Friendship Association would carry forward its fine tradition, take an active and forward-looking approach, and guide its members and the broader public in gaining an objective understanding of China. He also encouraged efforts to strengthen subnational?and youth exchanges, and contribute to developing China-Japan relations and the friendship between the two peoples.Sasaki Masafumi stated that the Hokkaido?Japan-China Friendship Association is committed to further advancing friendly exchanges between Japan and China across various fields, enhancing?youth engagement, attracting more young people to participate in the cause of friendship, and achieving new outcomes in Hokkaido's exchanges and cooperation with China.
Japanese Journalists Delegation Visits China
From November 3 to 7, 2025, at the invitation of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), a seven-member delegation of Japanese journalists?led by Noriyuki Kawamura, emeritus professor at Nagoya University of Foreign Studies and former commentator for the Tokyo Shimbun,?visited Beijing and Zhejiang Province.During their stay, the delegation held a meeting with?the?Department of Asian Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Institute of Japanese Studies?at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), where they held in-depth discussions on China-Japan relations, people-to-people exchanges, media responsibilities, and other topics. They also visited Beijing No. 80 High School and Baochu Pagoda Experimental School Hangzhou?to observe how general artificial intelligence (AI) courses are being integrated into primary and secondary school curricula. The delegation also toured Hangzhou Wensan Digital Life Block, and visited?the?AI Town?and the Dream Town?in Hangzhou Future Sci-Tech City, held exchanges with heads of technology innovation companies, and gained firsthand insights into the practical application and leading role of?technological innovation in China's economic and social development.?They visited the Zhejiang Provincial Museum and the Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum?to learn about the protection and inheritance of the excellent Chinese traditional culture.The delegation?members?expressed their readiness to leverage their role?as media professionals?to contribute to enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of China and Japan through objective and rational reporting.
Vice President Shen Xin Visits Brazil and Argentina
From November 3 to 6, 2025,?Vice President?Shen Xin of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) led a delegation to Brazil and Argentina.(Shen Xin delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the Cross-Region Urban Climate Cooperation Dialogue for Sustainable Development)During his stay?in Brazil, Shen Xin attended the Cross-Region Urban Climate Cooperation Dialogue for Sustainable Development co-hosted by the CPAFFC and the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, and the "Brazil-China Friendship Night", co-organized by CPAFFC, the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Rio de Janeiro, and the Brazil-China Friendship Association. He also visited the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro and the Brazilian Center for International Relations, and met with executives from the Brazilian clinical diagnostics group DASA, Brazilian retail pharmacy and health care group Raia Drogasil, Brazilian insurance group Qualicorp, and Brazilian medical device group Viveo, exchanging views on strengthening cooperation.(Shen Xin delivers a speech at the "Brazil-China Friendship Night")(Top left: Shen Xin in a working meeting with the Brazilian Center for International Relations; Top right: Shen Xin in a working meeting with the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro; Bottom left: Shen Xin cuts a celebration cake together with Tian Min, Chinese Consul General in Rio de Janeiro;?Tia Ju, President of the National Union of State Parliaments in Brazil and Vice President of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Rio de Janeiro;?and Henrique Nóbrega, President of the Brazil-China Friendship Association (Rio); Bottom right: Shen Xin takes a photo with Romeu Domingues, board member of Brazilian medical diagnostics group DASA)During his visit to Argentina, Shen Xin respectively met with Leandro Santoro, Argentine National Deputy and?Gisela Scaglia, Deputy-elect of the Argentine National Congress and Vice Governor of Santa Fe Province, and visited the +54lab Innovation Park together with Diego Marcos, Executive Chairman of the Civil Association for Argentina-China Cooperation. Wang Xiaoxu, Chargé d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Argentina, held a working meeting with the delegation.(Top: Shen Xin in a working meeting with Argentine National Congress Deputy-elect and Santa Fe Province Vice Governor Scaglia; Middle: Shen Xin visits the +54lab innovation park; Bottom: Shen Xin in a working meeting with Argentine National Deputy Santoro)
Vice President Yuan Mindao Meets with Delegation of the Kenzō Matsumura Commemoration Association from Japan
On November 4, Vice President Yuan Mindao of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC)?met with the 43rd delegation to China of the Kenzō?Matsumura Commemoration Association, led by?Mikio Tanaka, Mayor of Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture, Japan.Vice President Yuan spoke highly of?Mr. Kenzō Matsumura's?outstanding contribution to the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, as well as fostering friendly exchanges between the two countries. He expressed his appreciation for the long-term work of the Kenzō?Matsumura Commemoration Association in carrying forward the philosophy of China-Japan friendship, and stated that the CPAFFC is ready to work with the Association to enhance subnational?and people-to-people exchanges and to encourage more young Japanese people to participate in friendship activities between the two nations.Mayor Tanaka introduced the efforts of the Kenzō?Matsumura Commemoration Association and?Nanto City to help the Japanese public gain a deeper understanding?of Kenzō Matsumura and his contribution?to China-Japan?friendship, and expressed his readiness to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China.
Continuing Friendship, Building Bridges — Soka Gakkai Youth Delegation Visits China
From October 26 to November 1, 2025, a 50-member youth delegation from Japan's Soka Gakkai visited Beijing and Hubei Province at the invitation of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC).During their stay in China, the delegation took part in a wide range of exchange activities. In Beijing, they visited the Institute of Japanese Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and held in-depth discussions on "Youth and the Future of China-Japan Relations."?They presented flowers and paid their respects?at the Museum of the War of the Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression to honor history and reflect on peace. They also met with Ms. Zhou Bingde,?relative of Premier Zhou Enlai, and toured the Lu Xun Museum to trace the historical footprints of friendly exchanges between the two countries.In Hubei, the delegation visited Central China Normal University and Hubei University, where they exchanged views on their aspirations and deepened their friendship.?They?toured the National Intelligent Connected Vehicle (Wuhan) Test and Demonstration Zone, Yellow Crane Tower, and the East Lake Greenway, which helped them gain?a comprehensive understanding of China's latest achievements in cultural inheritance, ecological development, and scientific and technological innovation.On October 26, a welcome dinner was held in Beijing. Cheng Yonghua, Executive Vice President of the China-Japan Friendship Association, attended the event. He expressed his hope that?young people of the two countries uphold a broad vision and innovative spirit, to preserve and carry forward?China-Japan friendship, and turn it into a bridge of communication?for future generations.Members of the delegation noted that the visit had?transcended?media narratives?and offered?them a glimpse of the real China—one steeped in history?and?brimming with vitality. They spoke of having forged?genuine friendships with their Chinese peers,?and bringing?this authentic understanding and heartfelt goodwill back to Japan. The delegates also expressed their readiness to dedicate?their youth and strength to the long-term, steady development of Japan-China friendship.Si Qingchuan, Full-time Vice President of the Hubei Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries;?Yang Bojiang, Director-General?of the Institute of Japanese Studies at?the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences;?and other officials attended the relevant events.
Member of the House of Representatives of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party Toshiko Abe Visits China with a Delegation
From October 30 to November 3, 2025, at the invitation of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), Toshiko Abe, Member of the House of Representatives of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and former Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, led a six-member delegation?on a visit to Shanghai and Zhejiang. During their stay, Sha Hailin, President of the?Shanghai Public Relations Association, and Guo Weihong, Full-time Vice President of the?Hangzhou People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, met with Abe and her delegation?separately.During the visit, the?delegation?toured enterprises?in intangible cultural heritage (ICH) innovation, the?Xiling Seal Society, and the Hangzhou International Buddhist Cultural Exchange Center and Chaoyin Zen Temple, gaining first-hand understanding of China's cultural industry development and the exchange and cooperation between China and Japan in the cultural field. They?visited several Japanese companies operating locally —?HORIBA China,?AEON MALL (Hangzhou Qiantang store) and the Fujiya (Hangzhou) food factory—to learn about the business environment and development of Japanese enterprises in China. Furthermore, they visited Japanese schools in Shanghai and Hangzhou, and held discussions?with Japanese students studying in China, encouraging and supporting Japanese youth to strive to become bridges for friendly exchanges between the two countries.Abe expressed her gratitude for the warm hospitality from the Chinese side, saying that through this visit she felt China's vigorous economic and social development as well as its profound traditional culture. She thanked the Chinese side for their assistance and support to Japanese companies, schools, and students?in China. She expressed her decision to share the outcomes of the visit after returning to Japan, and?her readiness?to contribute to the promotion of subnational?friendly exchanges, practical cooperation between the two countries, and the improvement and development of Japan-China relations.
