On September 12, 2004, State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan met with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi, who is in China for the China Business Summit 2004, at Zhongnanhai.

Tang expounded his views on China-Japan relations, stressing that relations between the two countries are currently in an important development period, during which time the two sides should cherish and safeguard the overall situation of their friendly relations, abide by the principles enshrined in the three political documents between the two countries, and properly address problems existing between them, especially the issues of history and Taiwan, so as to push for the sound and stable development of their relations.

Yoriko Kawaguchi indicated that to face up to and correctly look at history is the political basis of the development of Japan-China relations. Japan abides by the principles in Japan-China Joint Statement, does not recognize "two Chinas" and "one China, one Taiwan", and this stance will not change.