On May 11, Premier Li Keqiang addressed the opening ceremony of the China-Japan Governor Forum in Sapporo, capital of Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido.

He noted that exchanges and cooperation at the local level are an integral part of the China-Japan relationship, as well as a crucial channel to promote people-to-people friendship.

During this visit, the two sides reached several deals to promote cooperation at the local and corporate level, and in high-tech and other industries concerning people’s livelihoods, such as dealing with an aging population and improving medical treatment, Premier Li said.

The two sides should tap their complementary advantages, explore the third-party market, and avoid cut-throat competition, he said.

The Premier also stressed financial cooperation, calling on the two countries to sign a currency swap deal as soon as possible. “China has agreed to grant Japan the RMB Qualified Foreign Institutional Investors (RQFII) quota, which will facilitate two-way investment, personnel exchange and prevent financial risk.”

The healthy and stable development of the China-Japan relationship conforms to the two countries’ fundamental interests and will benefit regional and world peace and prosperity, he said.

As this year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, the two sides should review the principles of the treaty, consolidate the political foundation and promote friendship and cooperation to promote bilateral ties back to the right track.

President Xi Jinping said China will open wider at the 2018 Boao Forum for Asia. Chinese provinces are willing to cooperate with Japan’s local authorities in high technology, high-end manufacturing, and modern agriculture, Premier Li said.

He also welcomed Japanese enterprises and local governments to participate in China’s drive towards high-quality growth.

For his part, Abe said the ongoing exchanges between sister cities in China and Japan have promoted the friendship and peaceful development between the two nations

The two sides should continue to encourage local exchanges and enhance cooperation in population aging and tourism, to benefit strategic and mutually beneficial relationship of the two nations, he said.

Twelve provincial governors from China and Japan attended the forum.