On August 5, Vice President Yuan Mindao met with the delegation from the Hokkaido Japan-China Friendship Association, led by its President Shiroki Nobutaka, in Beijing.
Yuan commended the association for its long-standing dedication to promoting friendly exchanges between China and Japan, particularly for the support extended during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Beijing Winter Olympics. He emphasized that the foundation of China-Japan friendship lies in grassroots engagement. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the CPAFFC, and Yuan expressed a desire to seize this opportunity to collaborate with insightful individuals from sectors in Japan to advance exchanges and cooperation in local and cultural fields. The goal is to strengthen public support for China-Japan friendship and ensure the steady and long-term development of bilateral relations.
Shiroki expressed gratitude for the warm reception and highlighted that this year is the 60th anniversary of the Hokkaido Japan-China Friendship Association. He stated that the delegation’s visit aims to study the history of China-Japan relations and observe China’s recent achievements in economic and social development. By reflecting on history and focusing on the future, Shiroki expressed a commitment to further enhancing exchanges, especially among young people, to continuously advance the cause of China-Japan friendship through grassroots efforts.
