On November 16, 2006, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, who was attending the 18th Ministerial Meeting of APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation), met with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro ASO. Both sides reached the following agreements on jointly studying history.

I. Chinese and Japanese foreign ministers held talks during the APEC meeting and exchanged views on the implementation framework for jointly studying history based upon the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries.

II. Both sides agree to jointly study history based upon the principles outlined in the three political documents including the China-Japan Joint Statement and in the spirit of facing the history squarely and looking into the future.

III. Both sides agree that the purpose of jointly studying history is to deepen the objective knowledge about the history and enhance mutual understanding through the joint studies by Chinese and Japanese scholars on the over-20-centruy-long history of exchanges between China and Japan, the tragic modern history between China and Japan and the 60-year-long history of China-Japan relations after World War II.

IV. Both sides agree to set up one committee on each side consisting of 10 scholars respectively and composed of two groups: ancient history group and modern history group. The two sides hold meetings in rotation. Both sides confirm that the Institute of Modern History of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and the Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA) are entrusted as the implementation agencies.

V. Both sides agree to hold the first meeting within 2006 and strive to publish the joint research results within the time frame of 2008, which will be the 30th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Peace and Friendship Treaty.

Li said that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe paid a successful visit not long ago and China-Japan relations get back to normal track, which is a result of concerted efforts and which we should cherish. Both sides should boost the exchange and cooperation in a wide range of areas including economy and trade, culture, youth and defense. It is hoped that both sides make concerted efforts to ably handle the sensitive issues between the two countries. Japan should properly handle the Taiwan question.

ASO said that the since the visit of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the high-level exchanges between the two countries have witnessed a significant increase and the cooperation and exchanges in all sectors are strengthened, which should be welcomed. Japan wishes to work together with China to keep driving the momentum forward. With respect to the Taiwan question, there is not any change to the position of the Japanese government and Japan will adhere to the principles outlined in the political documents including the China-Japan Joint Statement.

Both sides also exchanged views on regional issues of common concern.