4th Beijing-Tokyo Forum held in Tokyo

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-09-16 09:44

Wang Chen, minister of the State Council Information Office of China, addresses the opening banquet of the 4th Beijing-Tokyo Forum in Tokyo, Japan, September 15, 2008. The annual forum kicked off on Monday. [Xinhua]

TOKYO - The Fourth Beijing-Tokyo Forum began its plenary meeting Tuesday in Tokyo.

Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura and Chinese Ambassador Cui Tiankai made speeches on behalf of the Japanese and Chinese governments respectively at the start of the meeting, stressing concerted efforts to push forward bilateral relations.

The three-day forum opened with a dinner party late Monday. In their speech at the party, Hiroya Masudan, Japanese Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, and Wang Chen, head of the State Council Information Office of China, lauded the role the forum has played in the development of bilateral ties and wished it a success.

The annual forum, co-sponsored by China Daily and the non- profit Japanese organization Genron NPO, is held alternately in Beijing and Tokyo. The first Tokyo-Beijing Form took place in Beijing in August 2005.