Chinese President Hu Jintao
said in Beijing on Friday that the seven Japan-China friendship
organizations based in Japan, who are making a joint visit to
China, were the "backbone" of promoting the friendly ties between
the two countries.
These groups served as an "important bridge" for
non-governmental exchanges between the two countries, said
President Hu. They had done a lot of "helpful work" for the
normalization of diplomatic ties and the promotion of friendliness
between the two countries, President Hu?added while meeting
the heads of the organizations at the Great Hall of the People in
downtown Beijing.
Noting that China-Japan relations are going through a difficult
period, Hu said that the Japanese organizations' visit and the
exchange of dialogue with relevant Chinese bodies have displayed
the "benign wish" of the two peoples to improve bilateral
relations.
The visit would contribute to assisting with mutual
understanding, friendship and relations between the two countries,
said President Hu.
The seven organizations, which have come as the guests of the
China-Japan Friendship Association are namely -- the Japanese
Council for the Promotion of International Trade, Association of
Dietmen League for Japan-China Friendship, Japan-China Friendship
Association, Japan-China Cultural Exchange Association, Japan-China
Association on Economy and Trade, Japan-China Society and
Japan-China Friendship Center.
The heads of the organizations include former Japanese Prime
Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto and former Foreign Minister Masahiko
Komura.
(Xinhua News Agency March 31, 2006)