On November 18 2004, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing met with Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura while attending the 16th APEC Ministerial Meeting at Santiago.

Li said that the Chinese Government attaches great importance to China-Japan relations. He hoped that both sides make joint efforts to develop friendly cooperative relations of long-lasting stability and healthy development. It is very important that the state leaders, the two governments as well as people in various fields of the two countries to maintain close exchanges, especially for the state leaders to have frequent contacts and dialogues. Li reiterated the principle and stand of the Chinese side on history and the Taiwan Question and hoped that the Japanese side keep its promise and take practical actions to eliminate barriers that affect bilateral relations.

Machimura noted that it is very important for the two sides to maintain contacts and dialogues at all levels and seek for expanding common interest and cooperation. The Japanese side attaches importance to the stand of the Chinese side on history and the Taiwan Question. The Japanese side upholds the one China policy and does not support "Taiwan Independence". This stance will not be changed.