On June 25, 2009, Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo met in Beijing with a delegation headed by former secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japan Koichi Kato, also chairman of the Japan-China Friendship Association.

Dai said China-Japan ties have improved in recent years and have entered a new phase of comprehensively constructing a strategic relationship of mutual benefit. "The good momentum of current bilateral ties is hard-earned and needs to be cherished by both sides," said Dai, noting that China was ready to work with Japan to keep the China-Japan strategic relationship of mutual benefit moving forward.

Kato praised China for its timely and effective measures to withstand the global financial crisis. He said the Japan-China friendship would have a positive impact on the two nations, the northeast Asian region and the world.

The delegation is visiting China at the invitation of the China-Japan Friendship Association.