On September 2, 2025, President Yang Wanming of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) met with Yukio Hatoyama, former Japanese Prime Minister, at the CPAFFC, who was invited to attend the commemorative events marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

President Yang extended a warm welcome to Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama on hias participation in the commemorative events, commending his longstanding commitment to China-Japan relations, his consistent support for people-to-people friendship between the two countries, and his active efforts and contributions to improving and advancing bilateral ties.

Yukio Hatoyama expressed gratitude to the Chinese side for the invitation and extended best wishes for the full success of the commemorative events. He praised China's remarkable achievements in economic and social development. He said that 80 years ago, Japan inflicted grave suffering on the Chinese people, and that he came to China with a spirit of reflection and apology, to express deep condolences to the Chinese people who lost their lives in the war. He stressed his consistent belief that Japan must face history squarely, earnestly draw lessons from the past, ensure that it never again takes the path of war, and remain committed to safeguarding China-Japan friendship and world peace. It is hoped that the two sides would fully implement the comprehensive advancement of their strategic relationship of mutual benefit, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, and culture, and work together to build an Asian community with a shared future.

President Yang emphasized that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, an important opportunity to face history squarely and shape the future. He commended Mr. Yukio Hatoyama for consistently upholding a correct view of history—facing it, remembering it, and learning from it while adhering to the path of peaceful development—a stance deeply appreciated by the Chinese people. President Yang expressed admiration for Mr. Yukio Hatoyama's courage in withstanding pressure and standing firmly on the right side of history.

President Yang further noted that China-Japan relations are at a crucial stage of improvement and development. The meeting between the two state leaders in Lima last November produced important consensus that charted the course for bilateral ties. He stressed that both sides should firmly uphold the right direction of their relations, implement the important consensus of the leaders, continuously consolidate political mutual trust, properly manage differences, and safeguard the political foundation of bilateral ties. He called for deepening economic and trade exchanges, creating new highlights in economic and trade cooperation, and actively advancing cultural and people-to-people exchanges, particularly youth exchanges, so as to strengthen the public foundation for friendship between the two countries. The CPAFFC is ready to work with Mr. Yukio Hatoyama and other visionary figures from Japan to contribute to the sustained improvement and development of China-Japan relations.

Yuan Mindao, Vice President of the CPAFFC and Zhu Dan, Director-General of the Department of East Asian Affairs of the CPAFFC, were present at the meeting.