China and Japan, with bilateral trade surpassing 300 billion U.S. dollars for years, still see vast potential for future economic growth, said Commerce Ministry spokesman He Yadong at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday.
Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met with a record-breaking delegation of about 230 Japanese business leaders in Beijing on February 18, demonstrating Japanese economic circles' interest in and expectations for the Chinese market.
During the discussions, business representatives from Japan expressed their optimism about China's steady economic growth, acknowledging its positive impact both on Japan and on East Asia and global economic development. They reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation with China, and expressed their willingness to continue contributing to the development of China-Japan relations from an economic perspective.
"China and Japan have deeply integrated their economies, with bilateral trade topping 300 billion U.S. dollars for many years and Japan's cumulative investment in China exceeding 130 billion U.S. dollars. There is enormous potential for future growth. Both sides should strengthen policy communication, maintain the stability of production and supply chains, uphold the multilateral trading system centered on the WTO, and enhance regional and multilateral cooperation," said He.
He expected the business communities of both countries to expand exchanges and visits, while deepening cooperation in green development, medical and health care, and service trade, so as to contribute to the sound and steady development of China-Japan economic and trade relations.
China-Japan trade exceeds 300 bln dollars for years
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
