Zhang Hua, Director of the China International Youth Exchange Center (CIYEC), met with a nine-member delegation of Japanese civil society organizations on Sept 3. The delegation was visiting China at the invitation of the Chinese Association for International Understanding.

Zhang gave a detailed overview of the CIYEC's development, with a particular focus on youth exchanges with Japan. He emphasized that promoting and expanding youth exchanges with Japan is an important long-term task. With support from various sectors of Japanese society, the CIYEC has played an active role in facilitating a wide range of exchange activities in fields such as technology, talent development, environmental protection and education, according to Zhang. It has also intensified practical cooperation among young entrepreneurs from the two countries, yielding positive outcomes, he added. 

Noting that China-Japan relations are at a critical stage, Zhang expressed his hope that the delegation's visit would serve as an opportunity for cooperation with Japanese civil society groups to foster mutual understanding, carry forward friendship between the two countries and cultivate new forces for China-Japan friendship, thereby contributing to the improvement and development of bilateral relations.

The head of the delegation, Sen Nakata, Chief Director of NPO SEKAI, expressed his appreciation to the CIYEC for their hospitality. He said that, for many years, friendship organizations from Japan and China have maintained close communication and cooperation, playing an indispensable role in promoting people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. The current challenges in Japan-China relations have created new difficulties for people-to-people exchanges, he noted, emphasizing that both sides should work hand-in-hand to plan more pragmatic exchange activities and initiate cooperation projects that align with present needs. This, he said, would inspire more young people to engage in the cause of Japan-China friendship, bringing the two peoples closer and solidifying the public support for the bilateral relationship. 

Takeaki Kamada, President of the Japan-China Friendship Association of JCI Japan; Shinsaku Kajiura, Vice Director of the Department of International Relations at Office of International Affairs, Soka Gakkai; Yasuyuki Kagawa, Auditor of International IC Association of Japan; Yukari Tsuru, Board Chairman of NGO Social Education Association Bellpo; Akinobu Ito, President of Japan-China Workers Exchange Association; and Yoshitaka Tanaka, Vice President of Japan-China Friendship Association, delivered speeches.

They reiterated the point that Japan-China relations are at a pivotal moment, where progress must be made or stagnation will result, underscoring the importance of youth exchanges. Both sides should focus on the future, continuously deepening youth exchanges and cooperation to actively promote the improvement and development of Japan-China relations. They also expressed hope for strengthening cooperation with the CIYEC, passing on the baton of friendship to future generations. 

The delegation also visited the Century Theater. Heads of related departments of the Chinese Association for International Understanding and the CIYEC attended the event.