(20/10/11)

A 16-person Chinese Government Cultural Delegation headed by vice Minister of Culture Zhou Heping visited Japan from September 26th to October 2nd at the co-invitation of the Financial Group Legal Person Japan-China Friendship Society, the Cultural Agency and 2002 Japanese Year and Chinese Year Operation Committee.

On September 26th, Zhou Heping met with chief of Japanese Cultural Agency Kawai Hayao and deputy chief Zeniya Sinki. Both sides exchanged views on further promoting cultural exchanges between the two countries. On the same day, Zhou also interviewed separately deputy chief of Japan-China Friendship Guild and Japanese former Ambassador to China Tanino Sakutaroh, President Murakami Riikyu and chief of Japan Publication Sales Company Limited Suka Tetuo.

On the morning of September 27th, the Ministry of Cultural held a Devotion-to-Cultural-Exchange Awards issuing ceremony and celebration reception at Tokyo's Prince Hotel. Zhou Heping on behalf of the Ministry of Cultural granted Devotion-to-Cultural-Exchange Awards to President of Mass Organization Legal Person Japan-China Friendship Society Hirayama Ikuo, President of Financial Group Japan-China Friendship Guild Gotouda Masaharu, representative director of Japan-China Cultural Exchange Society Sirato Mitio, Chief Art Supervisor of Four-Season Theatrical Company Asari Keita, Sadoali Senke Iemoto Sensousitsu and Japan Publication Sales Company Limited. Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Dawei, Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Uetake Sigeo, Deputy Chief of General Affairs of Ministry of Education and Science Ono Motoyuki, President of Overseas Chinese in Japan General Society Chen Kunwang, deputy chairman of 2002 Japanese Year and Chinese Year Operation Committee Isikawa Yosi and friendly Japanese people in various circles, over 200 in number, attended the meeting.

On the afternoon of September 27th, the opening ceremony of the 12th Chinese Cultural Day and Peking Opera Plastic Arts Show co-sponsored by Chinese Ministry of Culture and Japan-China Friendship Guild was held at the Japan-China Friendship Guild Hall. Zhou Heping and Murakami Riikyu spoke at the ceremony on behalf of Chinese and Japanese sponsor respectively. Counselor with the rank of envoy of Chinese Embassy in Japan Qiu Guohong and Deputy Chief of General Affairs of Japanese Ministry of Education and Science Ono Motoyuki each delivered a speech on behalf of the guests. Over 100 Japanese friendly people in various circles attended the ceremony.

On the afternoon of September 29th, 30th anniversary of normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations commemoration day special concert was held at Tokyo's Opera City. Some a hundred performing artists from China's Central Philharmonic Orchestra gave a brilliant performance to Japanese audience. Deputy Minister of Culture Zhou Heping, Counselor of Chinese Embassy in Japan, former Japanese Prime Minister Haneda Hjime, Deputy Chief of Cultural Agency Zeniya Sinki and an audience of 1,500-plus enjoyed the concert.

On October 1st, China Government Cultural Delegation visited Okinawa. Zhou Heping and his party paid an official visit to the governor Inamine Keiiti. Both parties fully exchanged views on enhancing cultural exchanges between China and Okinawa.

Zhou Heping also made a special trip to Nara on October 2nd for a visit to Japan National Congress Library Kansai Branch that is on the point of opening to the public.

On October 2nd, the China Government Cultural Delegation, having successfully concluded the visit, returned to China via Osaka.

By Shi Zeyi

(ultural Office of Chinese Embassy in Japan)