Chinese and Japanese ruling parties vow closer ties as they hold first talks in 6 years

Dialogue between Communist Party and Japan’s ruling coalition comes amid thaw in relations following change of leadership in Tokyo

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Hiroshi Moriyama (left), secretary general of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party, and his Komeito counterpart Makoto Nishida (right) shake hands with Liu Jianchao, chief of the Communist Party’s International Department, on Tuesday in Beijing. Photo: Kyodo

Published: 4:50pm, 14 Jan 2025Updated: 9:41pm, 14 Jan 2025

The governing parties of China and Japan held their first dialogue in over six years on Tuesday, agreeing to step up exchanges and promote strategic and mutually beneficial ties.

At the dialogue in Beijing between China’s ruling Communist Party and politicians from Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner Komeito, the two sides said they would maintain close communication “regardless of the situation of China-Japan relations”.

“[Both sides will] step up exchanges between political parties, dignitaries and young politicians, enhance mutual understanding and trust, and strengthen the political foundation for the improvement and development of China-Japan relations,” the Communist Party’s International Department said in a statement.

There have been signs of thawing China-Japan relations since Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba came to power in October. The two countries have attempted to mend ties as geopolitical uncertainty grows, and especially as Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House next week.

Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department, which serves as the Communist Party’s diplomatic arm, said the ruling parties of the two countries should strengthen dialogue and communication and take concrete action to promote the sound and stable development of China-Japan relations.

Li Shulei, head of the Publicity Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, said on Monday that China was willing to work with Japan to foster a more favourable public perception of the two nations among each other’s citizens.