(2002/11/27)

To mark 30th anniversary of normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan, a personal photo show of Feng Xueming, a Chinese photographer residing in Japan, entitled Faraway Earth—Tracing to the Source of Chinese Culture sponsored by Japan's Asahi Shinbun and assisted by Tokyo Photo Studio, was solemnly opened on the evening of November 22nd at Tokyo Photo Studio.

Japanese former vice prime minister and Emeritus President of Japan-China Friendship Guild Gotouda Masakaru, President of Japanese Camera Financial Group and Minister of Justice Moriyama Mayumi, Trustee of Japanese Asashi Shimbun Takagi Toshiyuki, Chief of Japanese Photo Studio Fukuhara Yoshiharu and Counselor (with the rank of envoy) of Chinese Embassy in Japan Qiu Guohong attended the opening ceremony and cut the ribbon. Director of Cultural Exchange Department of Japanese Foreign Ministry Nukahara Kazuo, Shiranishi Sinitirou, President of Japan-China Association Shiraniski Sinitirou, President of Japan-China Friendship Guild Murakami Riikyu, Managing Director of Japan-China Cultural Exchange Association Kimura Mitiko, President of Tokyo Overseas Chinese General Society Yin Qiuxiong, President of Japan Professional Photographer's Society Tanuma Takeyoshi, and friendly people from all circles, 200 in all, came to extend congratulations. Xinhua News Agency, People's Daily, Guangming Daily and Correspondent Center of CCTV stationing in Tokyo covered the news about the ceremony.

Feng Xueming is a member of Japan Professional Photographer's Society. He has been residing in Japan for some dozen of years during which he has been to China and back for over 50 times. He has taken a large number of photographic works reflecting China's long-standing culture and overseas Chinese's deep nostalgia for homeland. His artistic creations of photography were awarded Japanese Sun Prize for photographic arts and gold medal in World Overseas Chinese Photographic Works Contest. The show was co-sponsored by more than 30 Japanese celebrities in political, economic and cultural circles. Chinese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Japan We Dawei wrote a foreword for the show. On display are 200 photos in 5 series entitled Homeland of Rice, Homeland of Shaoxing Wine, Homeland of Changbaishan Jinseng, Homeland of Porcelain---Jindezhen Town and Homeland of Pu'er Tea, in which Feng Xueming's achievements in photographic creation over the years are fully revealed. A part of photos on the show are displayed for the first time.

The trustee Takagi Toshiyuki, Counselor of Chinese Embassy in Japan Qiu Guohong and Chief of Tokyo Photo Studio Fukuhama Yoshiharu spoke at the opening ceremony. Takagi Toshiyaki, on behalf of the sponsors, gave an account of Feng Xueming's experience in photographic creation. He spoke highly of the solo show held at Tokyo Photo Studio, which has won over the audience with Feng's artistic creation. Qiu Guohong held that Feng's works have given expression to the pulse of the times, the rich flavor of life and the harmony between man and nature. He commended the artist on his efforts in introducing Chinese culture to Japan and promoting Sino-Japanese cultural exchange. He urged the artist to scale new heights in artistic creation, taking the present stage as a new starting point. At the opening ceremony, congratulatory telegrams from president of Japan-China Friendship Association Hirayama Ikyo and others were read.

At the reception held afterwards, Gotouda Masaharu proposed a toast, and Tanuma Takeyoshi spoke on behalf of Japanese photographers.

The Chinese Embassy in Japan, Xinhua News Agency, People's Daily, Guangming Daily, China News Office, Wenhui Daily, Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Culture Agency backed up the show.

The show is to last till December 15.

By Zhang Yuhong

(From Cultural Office of Chinese Embassy in Japan)