Guo Jiakun (郭嘉昆), a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed deep condolences over the death of former Prime Minister Fukuda Yasuo (福田康夫). He also used language stating that Japan's policymakers should engage in deep reflection.
Guo Jiakun (郭嘉昆), a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a press conference on the 26th that, following the death of former Prime Minister Fukuda Yasuo (福田康夫), he had expressed "deep condolences," according to reports. Guo Jiakun (郭嘉昆) reportedly described Fukuda Yasuo (福田康夫) as "a longstanding friend of the Chinese people who made an active contribution to promoting the improvement and development of China-Japan relations."
Guo Jiakun (郭嘉昆) also said that Japan's policymakers should, drawing on the historical lessons of China-Japan relations, "engage in deep reflection." The remarks reportedly conveyed the view that the four political documents exchanged between China and Japan, including the 1972 Japan-China Joint Communiqué, must be kept firmly in mind.
It was also pointed out that Fukuda Yasuo (福田康夫) signed the Japan-China Joint Communiqué with President Hu Jintao (胡錦濤), who visited Japan in 2008, and that this was positioned as the "fourth political document." The Chinese side has reacted strongly to Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae (高市早苗)'s parliamentary remarks concerning a Taiwan contingency, and some observers believe that Guo Jiakun (郭嘉昆)'s remarks may have been made with Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae (高市早苗) in mind.
Chinese state media also reported Fukuda Yasuo (福田康夫)'s death in a breaking-news report that day. Xinhua reported that "even after retiring from politics, he devoted himself to China-Japan friendship and visited China frequently." Fukuda Yasuo (福田康夫) maintained ties with China for many years, including serving as chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia.