Zhang Hua, Director of the China International Youth Exchange Center (CIYEC), met with a delegation led by Kazuteru Saionji, a consultant at the Japan-China Friendship Association (JCFA) and Director of Institute for Future Japan-China Relation Studies, on October 26. The two sides discussed promoting exchanges between Chinese and Japanese youth.

Zhang expressed appreciation to Saionji for promoting China-Japan exchanges. Noting that China-Japan relations are faced with complex and challenging situations, and are at a critical juncture, he said that the CIYEC and the association, both as friendship organizations of the two countries, should shoulder the historical mission for continuing the peaceful and friendly relations between the two countries.

He said the CIYEC is willing to work together with the institute to take the commemoration of the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Sino-Japanese Treaty of Peace and Friendship as an opportunity to rekindle the spirit of the treaty, continue deepening communication and cooperation and make efforts to promote China-Japan relations in line with the requirements of the new era.

Saionji introduced the recent work of the JCFA and the institute. He said that people-to-people exchanges play an important role in the normalization of the diplomatic ties between Japan and China, adding that such exchanges remain the foundation for the development of Japan-China friendship. Saionji commended the efforts made by the CIYEC in promoting China’s communication with Japan, and said he hopes the two sides could maintain close contact, promote youth exchanges, enhance understanding and mutual trust, and jointly facilitate exchanges and cooperation in the fields of trade, economy, and culture.

Akira Yagi, Deputy Director and Secretary-General of the institute, and Wang Xinghu, also Deputy Director of the institute, as well as Xu Yanlin, Deputy Director of the Public Service and Cooperation Department of the CIYEC, attended the meeting.