Economics and culture nurture ties

"The most pressing task for China-Japan relations, I think, is to enhance mutual trust and friendship," Jing Dunquan, vice-president of China-Japan Friendship Association (CJFA), told China Daily just before President Hu Jintao's visit to Japan. The ongoing five-day state visit to Japan is the first by a Chinese president in a decade.

"We hope our bilateral ties will stride forward through this meaningful trip," Jing said.

China and Japan have a great deal in common and are closely related to each other in history, geography, economy and culture, Jing added.

The historic neighbors need each other as their economies continue to rise - Japan is now the world's second-largest economy and China the fourth, he said.

While Japan assists China in technology and managerial experience, China has breathed new life into Japan's economy.

"I'm always optimistic about the economic and trade ties between our two countries. Successful cooperation will not only bring wellbeing to both peoples, but also make invaluable contributions to the peace, stability and prosperity of Asia and the world at large," he said.

Cultural communication

"Frankly speaking, Chinese culture exerts great influence on Japan, such as with Confucianism, Chinese characters, clothes and diet styles. All of these make a natural affinity between the two neighbors," Jing said.

The vice-president said cultural contacts and exchanges are primary missions of his association, a non-governmental organization.

The association joined its Japanese counterpart - the Japan-China Friendship Association - and the National Art Museum of China to co-host a painting exhibition in China from April 18 to 26 of the works of Hirayama ikuo, among the most distinguished painters in Japan.

The National Peking Opera Theatre of China made a tour of Japan in 2006 while Japanese kabuki was staged in China last year.

"We try every means to promote friendly contacts with Japan. For example, the performance of Japanese sumo wrestling was presented in China in 2004, the second time after its debut 31 years ago. The Asian Super Model Contest staged in 2006 was also among hosts of bilateral exchange activities. All the activities have given impetus to our cultural partnership," the vice-president said.

Building friendship between sister cities is another mission of CJFA.

"There are already 238 pairs of sister cities between China and Japan after the first established in 1973.

"The first pair - China's Tianjin and Japan's Kobe - ushered in a new era in the international exchanges of China's local cities," Jing said, adding that the number of sister cities with Japan exceeds that with any other country.

People-to-people exchanges are also emphasized. With the support of both governments, this year has been designated as the "Year of Friendly Exchanges between Chinese and Japanese Youths". In the next four years, about 4,000 students from both countries will exchange visits.

The program has also outlined communication and exchanges in academics, education, languages, defense and culture.

Jing said the youth have other exchanges, with CJFA inviting hundreds of senior high middle school students from Japan to visit China every year while its Japanese peer does the same. A table tennis exchange contest among sister cities is held every five years.

There is also a wide range of exchanges in sports.

The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games marks the third time the world's biggest sports event will be held in Asia, following Tokyo in 1964 and Seoul in 1988.

"The sports gala is the honor of Asia. It needs not only domestic efforts, but also the concerns from friends in coutries of Asia, including Japan, and of the world at large," Jing said.

(China Daily 05/08/2008 page15)