On February 8, 2010, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with members attending the first meeting of the fifth 21st Century Committee for China-Japan Friendship in Ziguangge, Zhongnanhai.

During the meeting, Wen expressed hope that the friendship between China and Japan will pass on from generation to generation. "The foundation, as well as the hopes for and future of China-Japan friendship, lies in the peoples of the two countries," Wen said. Stressing that both sides need to take history as a mirror and face the future, Wen said China and Japan should handle relevant issues with the broad situation of Asia and the world in mind, enhance exchange and cooperation and increase mutual understanding and trust, so that the peoples of the two nations can become closer to each other and further develop bilateral ties. Hailing the 21st Century Committee for China-Japan Friendship as the bridge linking the two countries and the two peoples, Wen said the work of the new committee has got off to a good start and he believed the committee would produce fruitful outcomes with the concerted efforts of the two sides.

The Japanese committee members said that they are delighted with the current sound momentum of improvement and development in Japan-China relations, expressing hope that both countries will maintain high-level visits, strengthen humanities exchanges and build up friendship and cooperation. Japan is ready to work closely with China to contribute to the friendship between the two countries.

Tang Jiaxuan, senior member of China, and other officials attended the meeting.