-- Chairman of NPC Standing Committee Li Peng and Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi Junichirou Attend Opening Ceremony

The Chinese Cultural Week and the Japanese Cultural Week activities were initiated in Tokyo on April 2 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations. Visiting chairman of the National People's Congress of China Standing Committee Li Peng and wife Zhu Lin just arriving, Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro, and Japanese people of all circles attended the opening ceremony.

Li Peng said in his speech that China and Japan are two neighboring countries separated only by a narrow stretch of water, sharing a cultural source that is a unique tie to boost the friendly feelings between the two peoples. In the course of resumption and development of Sino-Japanese relations, cultural exchanges have played a significant role, he pointed out. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations, it is particularly meaningful to sponsor the 'Chinese Cultural Week' and the 'Japanese Cultural Week' activities. He hopes that mutual understanding and friendly feelings among the people of the two countries, in particular among the people of the younger generation will be facilitated through these activities so as to pass on Sino-Japanese friendship from generation to generation.

Koizumi Junichiro in his address highly appraised the striking advancement gained in the bilateral relations during the 30 years since normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations. He hopes that these activities will be taken as a good opportunity to carry Sino-Japanese friendly relations on to a new stage.

Chinese Minister of Culture and chairman of the Organizing Committee Sun Jiazheng and  Japanese director-general of Organizing Committee Ide Nobuyuki both spoke at the opening ceremony. They wish the activities a complete success and hope that a solid foundation will be laid for the further development of Sino-Japanese relationship. Chinese deputy chairman of National People's Congress of China Standing Committee Wang Guangying and wife Yin Yili accompanying Li Peng attended the ceremony. Japanese Foreign Minister Kawaguti Junko. Minister of Finance Siokawa Seijurou, Minister of Education Touyama Atuko, former Prime Minister Kaifu Toshiki, Murayama Tomiichi, Mori Yoshirou, chiefs of the three parties in power and people in all circles, about 1,500 in number, attended the ceremony.

It is reported that to celebrate the 30th anniversary of normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations, a series of activities including calligraphic show, martial art show, concert, performance of entertainment, and financial and trade exchanges will be administered during the Chinese Cultural Year and the Japanese Cultural Year.

(April 2, 2002, from www.Chinanews.com.cn)