On August 10, 2003, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan met with visiting Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

Tang extended welcome to Yasuo Fukuda, who took a special trip to Beijing to attend activities marking the 25th anniversary of the Sino-Japanese treaty of peace and friendship. Tang also praised the contribution made by late Japanese Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda, father of Yasuo Fukuda, to the signing of the treaty and to the development of bilateral relations.

Tang said the aim of the commemoration activities was to further promote the principles of the treaty, deepen cooperation and expand common interests so as to push forward the bilateral ties in the new century. Tang said that Sino-Japanese relations were at a crucial stage linking the past with the future. He stressed that the statesmen of both countries should view the bilateral relations in a long-term strategic perspective, handle historical issues and the Taiwan issue by adhering to the principles of the three bilateral political documents guiding the relations between the two countries and push forward the development of the bilateral relations in a sound and stable way.

Fukuda agreed with Tang on his evaluation of the relationship, and said while there were issues calling to be addressed properly, rare opportunities exist for further developing the bilateral relations. Fukuda said the two sides could do many practical things in various fields to consolidate the basis for cooperation of mutual benefit and create a brighter future for the bilateral ties. He expressed his willingness to make unremitting efforts to that end.