Visiting Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan on Wednesday
visited Japan's famous Matsuyama Ballet Troupe, which has made
positive dedication to the Sino-Japanese friendship.
Tang recalled stories about the troupe and the elder generation
of Chinese leaders. He highly praised the important dedication made
by troupe founders Masao Shimizu and Mikiko Matsuyama to the
Sino-Japanese cultural exchange and friendship.
Mr. Masao Shimizu, who has given all he had and made prominent
contribution to the cause of Sino-Japanese friendship in the past
several decades, is Chinese people's old friend and good friend,
while Ms. Mikiko Matsuyama has made imperishable dedication to the
bilateral cultural exchange, especially in the field of ballet,
Tang said.
Tang was warmly received at the troupe. He presented gifts to
Mr. Shimizu and Ms. Matsuyama as well as all members of the troupe
after watching performances.
The ballet troupe was the first stop of Tang's Japan tour, which
follows his visit to Britain.
The state councilor arrived in Tokyo later in the afternoon for
a four-day visit at the invitation of the Japanese government. He
is scheduled to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda,
Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura and other officials as well as
leaders from the business field, and plans to visit Osaka and
Nara.
Tang will leave Japan for South Korea on Sunday to attend the
inaugural ceremony of the country's President-elect Lee Myung Bak
as Chinese President Hu Jintao's special envoy.
(Xinhua News Agency February 21, 2008)
