(2002/10/22)

A 31-person Japanese Councilors Delegation headed by Chairman of Japanese House of Councilors Liberal and Democratic Party Aoki Mikio paid a friendly visit to China from September 21st to 24th, 2002 at the invitation of Chinese Ministry of Culture and attended the premiere of In Commemoration of 30th Anniversary of Normalization of Diplomatic Relations Between China and Japan -- Japanese Takarazuka Opera Troupe Visiting-China Performance.

During the delegation's stay in Beijing, Chairman of the National People's Congress of China Standing Committee Li Peng and wife Zhu Lin met with the delegation at the Great Hall of the People. Li Peng first addressed the delegation a hearty welcome to join in the relevant activities of the In Commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of Normalization of Diplomatic Relations Between China and Japan -- Chinese Cultural Year · Japanese Cultural Year. He said, China and Japan are neighboring countries separated only by a narrow strip of water with a long history of cultural exchanges. The relationship and cultural exchanges between the two countries during the past 30 years have achieved rapid progress. The cultural year activities to be held by each side as agreed by Chinese and Japanese governments fully express the well wish of the people of the two countries for peace and development of friendship and cultural exchanges. Li Peng expressed his belief that the cultural year activities will no doubt boost mutual understanding, friendship and confidence and will push forward the development of Sino-Japanese friendly relations in the new era. Aoki Mikio noted that the Japanese cultural year activities are rich and colorful and that he believes Japanese-Chinese relations in the new era will achieve greater development.

Vice Chairman of National Committee of the CPPCC Wang Wenyuan together with the delegation watched the premiere of Japanese Takarazaku Opera Troupe staged at the Century Theater. He met with the delegation and chief staff members of the opera troupe before the performance. He first welcomed Aoki Mikio and the delegation to China to join in the activities of In Commemoration of 30th Anniversary of Normalization of Diplomatic Relations between China and Japan-Chinese Cultural Yea and Japanese Cultural Year, and welcomed Japanese Takarazuka Opera Troupe to give performance in China for the second time. Aoki Mikio said that he was pleased to exchange views with Chinese vice chairman on Sino-Japanese relations. Vice Cultural Minister Zhou Heping was present at the interview and watched the performance.

Japanese Councilors Delegation hosted a dinner party to congratulate the Japanese Takazazuka Opera Troupe Public Performance in Beijing at Diaoyutan State Guest House. Vice Minister of Culture Meng Xiaosi who attended the banquet on invitation, said that golden autumn is a season for harvest. The visiting delegation has come to China to harvest not only the opera troupe's success in performance, but also the fruits of Sino-Japanese friendship in the 30 years since the normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations, he said. We hope that both sides will endeavor to boost exchanges and cooperation in the cultural field and promote mutual understanding and friendly contact. Aoki Mikio expressed his wish that co-efforts should be made for a long-term development of friendly relationship between the two countries.