With a view to speedily settling the present Affair and, with this as a turning point, to establishing a permanent relationship between Japan and China and marching forward toward the common goal of co-existence and co-prosperity as well as the reconstruction of East Asia, we respectively made declarations some time ago concerning the establishment of the new order in East Asia consisting of good neighbourly and amicable relations, a common defence against Communism and economic cooperation. The purposes of the Basic Treaty concluded between Japan and China on November 30, last year, and the Declaration of Japan, Manchoukuo and China issued on the same day are no other than this.
The significance of the establishment of the new order in East Asia lies in the eradication of the evils of aggression and of communism existing in East Asia and the establishment of States characterized by mutual cooperation, co-existence and co-prosperity on the basis of morality inherent in East Asia. There seem to be not a few among the people of China who, though being desirous of the reconstruction of East Asia through the collaboration of Japan and China, lack confidence in the actual realization of such an undertaking and persist in an attitude of hestitation [sic] and irresolution. But, the great task of reconstructing East Asia can only be accomplished by revealing as much as possible, even at the present stage, the first light of the dawn of this new era, thereby winning the confidence of the majority of the people, and also by resolutely striving for the realization of general peace.
As the result of our conversation, the Governments of Japan and China have pledged their word to put forth increasing efforts toward the above-mentioned common goal. The National Government of China will endeavour to make their people understand that the
collaboration between Japan and China and the reconstruction of East Asia are the common missions of the peoples of our two countries, by presenting concrete facts regarding the cooperation of Japan and China in political, military, economic and cultural spheres; and the Japanese Government also will exert themselves, by extending increasing assistance therefor, to enable the National Government fully to demonstrate their independent and free authority and power, so that they may share the responsibility of constructing the new order of East Asia.
The 23rd of June, the 16th year of Showa (1941)
Fumimaro Konoe
Wang Ching-wei