Abdul'ahat Abdulrixit, vice chairman of the National Committee
of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China's
top advisory body, met on Wednesday with Shinoda Akira, mayor of
Japan's Niigata city.
Abdul'ahat said China attaches great importance to the
friendship between the two countries. "This year marks the 35th
anniversary of the normalization of China-Japan relations, and is
also the year of China-Japan cultural and sports exchanges, we hope
the two countries will take this good opportunity to further
improve bilateral relations," he said.
Abdul'ahat hailed a recent visit by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao
to Japan, saying the visit was a "great success" and marked a new
period for the development of China-Japan relations.
Shinoda said he was glad that Japan-China relationship has
improved to a great extent, adding that Niigata city hopes to
strengthen tourism, cultural and economic and trade exchanges with
China, and be a bridge for Japan-China friendship.
In an interview with Xinhua, Shinoda said Premier Wen's visit to
Japan was a big success and has further ensured the momentum of the
improvement of Japan-China relations, adding he felt it a pity that
Premier Wen did not visit Niigata due to his busy agenda.
He stressed the importance of people-to-people exchanges between
Japan and China, saying Niigata, which has kept friendly and
cooperative relations with Harbin city of China, will continue to
strengthen exchanges with other areas of China.
Shinoda is visiting China mainly for attending the opening
ceremony of an office of Niigata in Beijing which aims at
soliciting Chinese tourists and investments. He arrived in Beijing
Monday and will conclude the visit on Thursday.
Niigata Prefecture was hometown of Japanese former Prime
Minister Tanaka Kakuei. Niigata city and China's Harbin announced
to be sister cities in 1979.
(Xinhua News Agency April 18, 2007)
