On October 18th, Iwate Prefecture in Japan holds a symposium of Japan-China-Korea Forum. Masuta Hiroshi, Governor of Iwate Prefecture, delivered a speech on the keynote of the Symposium. Present at the invitation are Zhang Aiping, Minister-Counselor of the Chinese Embassy to Japan, and Lee Ju-heum, Minister-Counselor of the Korean Embassy to Japan. They deliver a speech respectively on carrying out bilateral exchanges. Hosotany Kou, Professor of Comprehensive Policy Department of Iwate Prefecture University, chairs the symposium. Also present at the symposium are people from Iwate Prefecture Government, International Exchange Association, Sino-Japanese Friendship Association, Sightseeing Association, Morioka Trade Information Center of Trade Promotion Association,Desert Harnessing Association, Iwate-Dalian Association, Iwate-Shanxi Association as well as overseas students and researches from China and people from all walks of life.

Masuta Hiroshi, Governor of Iwate Prefecture, visited Dalian City, Taiyuan City, Shijiazhuang City and Beijing City in May this year and exchanged ideas with the related departments of China for carrying out the exchanges between the two countries.

Zhang Aiping, Minister-Counselor of the Chinese Embassy to Japan, points out in his speech that it is hoped that in the future exchanges with China Iwate Prefecture is hoped to strengthen personnel exchanges bilaterally, to pay special attention to the exchanges between the youngsters, to promote cultural exchanges and to develop economic cooperation, and that the Chinese Embassy to Japan will give active assistance in these respects.

The Japan-China-Korea Forum is a multilateral activity sponsored by Iwate Prefecture Government in commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of Normalization of Diplomatic Relations between China and Japan, A Year of Exchanges between the Peoples of Japan, China, and Korea, 2002 and A Year of Exchanges between the Peoples of Japan and Korea, 2002. At the site of the Forum, pictures and related books and periodicals of China and Korea are introduced respectively. Also shown at the Forum are the pictures showing the work and life of the Chinese researchers doing research work in the fields of medical science, agriculture, science and technology in Iwate.

(Cultural Department of Chinese Embassy in Japan)

October 21st, 2002