On May 29, the "Heart-to-Heart, Building Peace Together" China-Japan Youth Friendship Exchange Conference, co-hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Japan-China Friendship Association, was held at Renmin University of China.
Guests attending the event included Yang Wanming, President of CPAFFC; Zheng Xinye, Vice President of Renmin University of China; Kenji Kanasugi, Japanese Ambassador to China; Sasaki Masafumi, Executive Director of the Japan-China Friendship Association; Kato Chiyo, Executive Director of the Japan-China Cultural Exchange Association; and Yutaka Takakubo, Professor at the Faculty of Commerce, Nihon University. Nearly 600 participants, including youth representatives and media from both countries, participated in the event.
President Yang Wanming emphasized that China and Japan are important neighbors separated only by a narrow strip of water. Since the meeting between President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru last November, bilateral exchanges and cooperation at various levels have progressed steadily, contributing to the continued improvement of China-Japan relations. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The remembrance of history is not to perpetuate hatred, but to ensure the bell of peace rings eternally. The foundation of friendship between China and Japan lies in the peoples, and the future of the friendship rests with the younger generation. It is hoped that the young people from two countries will become advocates of peace, pioneers of innovation, and builders of mutual understanding, jointly writing a new chapter in China-Japan relations.
Ambassador Kenji Kanasugi noted that the development of Japan-China relations requires not only governmental efforts but also the broad participation and support of the people. Promoting exchanges between two peoples aligns with the important consensus reached by the two countries' leaders. It is hoped that this exchange serve as a starting point for the young people to build lasting friendships, with a forward-looking vision to establish a new relationship that benefits two peoples.
Vice President Zheng Xinye extended a warm welcome to the youth representatives and affirmed Renmin University's continued commitment to promoting broader, deeper, and higher-quality educational and cultural exchanges between China and Japan, leveraging the role of education in fostering friendly cooperation, enhancing global well-being and contributing to a more just, harmonious, and prosperous world.
The Japanese delegation noted that youth are a vital driving force in shaping the future of Japan-China relations. It's highly important to engage in youth exchanges. Japanese youth should cherish the visit to China, deepen understanding of its history, society, and culture, and build lasting friendships with Chinese peers, thereby strengthening the bonds of friendship between the two countries.
During the event, nearly 300 young Japanese visitors interacted with Chinese youth from Renmin University of China, Beijing Normal University, Beijing Foreign Studies University, Beijing Language and Culture University, Beijing Sport University, Beijing International Studies University, and Beijing Dance Academy. Activities included cultural exchanges and talent showcases, fostering a warm and friendly atmosphere. Participants from both countries expressed that the event enhanced mutual understanding and friendship, and they pledged to become ambassadors of peace and goodwill, contributing their youthful energy to Japan-China relations.
The Japanese youth delegation's visit to China was part of the implementation of the Memorandum on Enhancing Youth Exchange between the governments of China and Japan. During their stay, the delegation visited Beijing, Shanghai, Shanxi, Jiangxi, Guangdong, Yunnan, and other regions for exchange activities.
On the evening of May 29, Vice President Yuan Mindao of CPAFFC hosted a dinner reception in honor of the delegation.
