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On October 25, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a press conference at the Prime Minister’s Office. Regarding his visit to China, the Prime Minister said,
 
“This year marks the 40th anniversary of the conclusion of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China. With an eye on this anniversary, both countries have made steady efforts together to improve our relations. Furthermore, this is the first official visit by a Japanese prime minister to China in seven years and, through this visit, I hope to elevate the relations between our two countries to a new stage.
 
Japan and China share great responsibility for the peace and prosperity of the region and the world. With this shared recognition, I would like to hold frank and in-depth discussions with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang not only on bilateral relations, but also on various global issues. In particular, regarding the issue of North Korea, I intend to confirm our cooperation towards the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the resolution of the abductions issue, which is of the utmost importance to Japan.
 
Additionally, I would like to hold a frank exchange of views on strengthening the system of free and fair trade, and how to make the East China Sea a “Sea of Peace, Cooperation and Friendship.”