On November 23, 2011, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba in Ziguangge, Zhongnanhai.

"The just-concluded meetings of East Asian leaders have demonstrated a strong trend of forging solidarity, development and cooperation within the region," Wen said. He called on both sides to work together to boost common development in East Asia. He stressed that as influential nations, China and Japan making such a joint effort will serve the common interests of not just the two countries, but also others in the region. The two sides should further intensify their high-level exchanges to increase political and strategic mutual trust. Both side should further tap their respective advantages in the economic and trade sector, expand new fields of cooperation to achieve mutual benefit, and foster humanities exchange and cooperation to boost friendship between the two peoples, Wen said. China is willing to make joint efforts with Japan to push for new progress of bilateral relations and celebrate the 40th anniversary of normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations.

Gemba said China's development offers opportunities for Japan, and the steady growth of Japan-China ties serves the fundamental interests of the two nations and bears great significance to the region and the world. The Japanese government highly values, and is committed to furthering the strategic and mutually beneficial relations with China. It is ready to take the opportunity of the 40th anniversary of normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations to expand mutually beneficial cooperation, strengthen coordination in regional and international affairs and improve sentiments between the two peoples so as to push the ties to a new level, Gemba said.

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Chinese Ambassador to Japan Cheng Yonghua and other officials attended the meeting.