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The Chinese government will support local governments in China and Japan in more substantial exchanges and cooperation, said Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Liu Guchang in Beijing Friday.
At a seminar on promoting exchanges between local governments of the two nations, Liu said local governments should upgrade and broaden cooperation and exchanges. The two sides should promote relations through trade, investment, culture, technology and education in accordance with their respective economic and social characteristics and needs, and diversify their cooperation channels.
Since the first pair of sister cities of the two countries was forged in 1973, the number of twinned cities in China and Japan has grown to over 200, promoting cooperation in all spheres and contributing to the cooperative ties of friendly neighbors.
Masahiro Futahashi, Beijing branch head of the Japan Council of Local Authorities for International Relations, said local cooperation between the two nations is impressive in terms of both quality and quantity, which is of significance to enhancing mutual understanding between their citizens and promoting friendship.
Liu said so long as the two sides adhere to principles of reciprocity and common prosperity, diversified and substantial cooperation will have even brighter prospects.
(Xinhua News Agency January 11, 2003)
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