China Expresses Deep Condolences over the Death of Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, Calling Him an Old Friend of the Chinese People
Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda has passed away. At the regular press conference on October 26, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that China expresses deep condolences over the passing of former Prime Minister Fukuda and extends sincere sympathies to his family.
Guo said that Mr. Fukuda was an old friend of the Chinese people and made positive contributions to the improvement and development of China-Japan relations. He long cared about China-Japan friendship and upheld a correct view of history. During his tenure as prime minister, the fourth political document between China and Japan was signed, and after leaving office he visited the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders. He also served for many years as chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia, playing an important role in promoting exchanges and cooperation in Asia.
Guo added that Mr. Fukuda once pointed out that the four political documents between China and Japan stipulate the principles that bilateral relations must follow, that they must always be borne in mind, and that there must be no turning back. That resounding statement embodied the integrity and sense of responsibility of Japan's older generation of statesmen, and Japan's current leaders should reflect deeply on it, Guo said.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：日本前首相福田康夫官方肖像照（2007年）。照片：CC BY 4.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。Photo: Official portrait of former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda (2007). Photo: CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
