On Nov 6, Zhang Hua, Director of the China International Youth Exchange Center (CIYEC), met with a delegation led by Nakano Osamu, Executive Vice-chairman of the Tokyo Japan-China Friendship Association.

Zhang welcomed Osamu on his visit, and expressed appreciation for the association’s long-term dedication to promoting China-Japan youth communication. Noting that this year marks the 45th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, he expressed hope that the two sides will take this occasion as an opportunity to guide youth of both countries in learning from the strategic insights of older generations of leaders, continuing to shoulder historic responsibilities, promoting the long-held good tradition of youth exchange, and developing correct concepts of history, security and development, so as to deepen their communication and cooperation in the economy, trade and culture, and enable them to play due part in promoting long-term, sound, and sustainable development of China-Japan relations.

Osamu said that people-to-people exchanges are fundamental to Japan-China friendship, and their future relies on youth. His association is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with the CIYEC to actively promote people-to-people exchanges, he noted. He expressed hope that the youth committee of his association will play a more active role and work with the CIYEC to sow the seeds of Japan-China friendship in a bid to jointly promote peaceful development and friendly relations across generations.

The delegation also visited the Century Theatre, the Beijing International Youth Institute, and Silver Olive Sports World. Heads of the International Students Department and the Administration Office of the CIYEC, as well as relevant staff from the Beijing People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries also attended the meeting.