On July 18, 2025, President Yang Wanming of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met in Beijing with a delegation from Japan's animation, film, and publishing sectors, led by Ishikawa Kazuko, Chairperson of the Association of Japanese Animations.
President Yang extended a warm welcome to Ishikawa Kazuko on her return visit to China after six years and commended the delegation for their unique contributions to enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of China and Japan, as well as for promoting cultural exchange between the two countries. He noted that China and Japan are important neighbors, and that the bilateral relationship is currently at a crucial stage of improvement and development. Since the meeting between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in November last year, exchanges and dialogue across various sectors and at all levels have progressed steadily, bringing in a series of positive developments. Both history and current realities have repeatedly demonstrated that the sound and stable development of China-Japan relations serves the fundamental interests of two countries and their peoples. It also contributes to peace, stability, and prosperity in Asia and beyond. 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. It is hoped that both sides could take this occasion as an opportunity to face history squarely and look to the future, remain committed to the principles enshrined in the four political documents between China and Japan, work jointly to advance the strategic relationship of mutual benefit, and build a constructive and stable bilateral relationship that meets the needs of the new era.
President Yang noted that cultural and people-to-people exchanges have consistently played a vital role in the development of China-Japan relations. As a participating body on the Chinese side of the China-Japan High-Level Consultation Mechanism on People-to-People and Cultural Exchanges, the CPAFFC is committed to working closely with the Japan-China Cultural Exchange Association and visionary figures from Japan's cultural and media sectors. The two sides should uphold mutual respect and trust, promote mutual understanding and accurate perceptions between the two peoples; remain faithful to core principles while fostering innovation in the form and substance of cultural engagement to jointly develop more outstanding cultural works; and promote youth exchanges to cultivate future leaders of China-Japan friendship. These efforts will help forge deeper "bonds of the heart" among the younger generation through "new encounters" and open a new chapter in bilateral people-to-people and cultural exchanges.
Ishikawa Kazuko remarked that Japan and China share a long and rich history of cultural exchange, and that preserving and strengthening friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries is of great importance. The association stands ready to work closely with the CPAFFC and other Chinese counterparts to promote cultural exchanges through cultural products as a medium, deepen mutual understanding between the two peoples, and support the healthy development of Japan-China relations.
Kadokawa Tsuguhiko, Honorary Chairman of the Kadokawa Culture Promotion Foundation, noted that China's animation and related cultural industries have made remarkable strides in recent years. Enjoying broad prospect for cooperation between the cultural sectors of Japan and China, the foundation is committed to further advancing youth exchanges and practical collaboration between the two countries.
Director-General Zhu Dan and Deputy Director-General Zhang Xiaoping of the Department of East Asian Affairs of the CPAFFC, and Usui Masato, Minister at the Embassy of Japan in China, were present at the meeting.
