Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and Chinese Premier Li Qiang have renewed their resolve to promote relations between their two countries on the 45th anniversary of a bilateral peace and friendship treaty.

Messages by Kishida and Li were read at a ceremony in Tokyo on Monday, October 23, the date when the pact came into effect in 1978.

Kishida said Japan and China bear a great responsibility to contribute to regional and global peace and prosperity.

He said the two countries are facing many challenges and pending issues, as well as the possibility of cooperation in various fields.

He added it's important for them to jointly address the problems from a big-picture point of view to build a constructive and stable bilateral relationship.

Kishida noted Japan intends to recall the spirit of the treaty and work for the further development of bilateral ties.

Li said the treaty established a direction of peaceful coexistence and generational friendship between the two neighboring countries. He also said the pact marked an important milestone in the development of their ties by stressing opposition to hegemonism.

Li noted China intends to go back to the original spirit of the treaty, grasp the right direction of bilateral ties, and work for the establishment of a China-Japan relationship that meets the demands of a new era.