On May 14, 2012, Vice Premier Wang Qishan met with a delegation from the Japan Business Federation led by chairman Hiromasa Yonekura and honorable chairman Fujio Mitarai in Zhongnanhai.

Wang spoke positively of the fifth meeting of Chinese, Japanese and Republic of Korea (ROK) leaders, during which the three parties agreed to officially launch the negotiation on the China-Japan-ROK Free Trade Area (FTA) within this year and witnessed the signing of the China-Japan-ROK investment agreement. He said that achievements made during the meeting will provide new opportunities for Chinese and Japanese enterprises. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan diplomatic ties. Sino-Japanese economic cooperation serves as a "ballast" for bilateral ties and has brought tangible benefits to both countries, Wang said. China is ready to work with Japan to facilitate bilateral high-level economic dialogues and deepen cooperation in trade, investment, finance, high-end manufacturing, new energy and environmental protection so as to push forward China-Japan strategic reciprocal relations, Wang said.

The visiting delegation extended gratitude to China for its great support in Japan's post-disaster reconstruction and expressed willingness to expand cooperation with China in all areas and make efforts to maintain friendship between both peoples for generations.