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Senior official meets friendship groups in Japan

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-03-31 22:13

TOKYO -- Visiting senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Li Changchun met Tuesday with leaders of seven Japan-China friendship bodies on bilateral friendly relations.

Li Changchun (L), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, meets with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso in Tokyo, on March 30, 2009. [Xinhua]

During the talks, Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, lauded the indispensable role the seven friendship bodies have long played in promoting bilateral ties.

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With the frequent contacts between the leaders of both countries at a new historic threshold, China-Japan relationship has ushered in a new era for their strategic and mutually beneficial relations, said Li, adding that China-Japan relations have exceeded bilateral scope and are exerting increasing influence on the world.

He said that the unprecedented global financial crisis, while posing new challenges, offers fresh opportunities for Japan-China cooperation.

To jointly tackle the crisis serves not only as a link of mutual aid between the two peoples but as a driving force for the comprehensive promotion of bilateral trade and the substantialization of China-Japan strategic and mutually beneficial relations, Li said.

The two sides, however, need to make concerted efforts to foster a closer psychological intimacy and increase friendly feelings between the two peoples so that friendship could carry on from generation to generation, he said.

Extending their enthusiastic welcome to Li's visit, leaders of the friendship bodies said that they will, from their respective perspectives, actively promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various areas and make fresh contributions to the sound, stable and long-term development of Japan-China relations.

After the meeting, Li attended a welcome luncheon hosted by the seven friendship bodies of Japan-China Friendship Association, the Japan Association for the Promotion of International Trade, Association of Dietmen League for Japan-China Friendship, Japan-China Cultural Exchange Association, Japan-China Association on Economy and Trade, Japan-China Society and Japan-China Friendship Center.  

Li arrived here Sunday for an official goodwill visit. Japan is the third leg of his four-nation tour, which has already taken him to Australia and Myanmar. Li is to conclude his visit to Japan Wednesday and leave for the Republic of Korea.