According to the MOU reached between the Chinese Association for International Understanding (CAFIU) and the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Japan, a 38-member delegation headed by Shigenari Yamamoto, 2016 President of Junior Chamber International Japan (JCI Japan) and Yaichiro Aizawa, Chairman of Japan-China Friendship Association of JCI Japan, visited Beijing and Tianjin from June 26 to 29, as the return visit following CAFIU delegation’s visit to Japan in April 2016.  

 

During the visit, CAFIU Secretary-General Ni Jian met with major members of the delegation. Council Member Li Dongping and relevant CAFIU staffers also attended the meeting. Secretary-General Ni Jian said that in midst of the current difficulty in China-Japan relations, it is all the more important for the two peoples to carry out more exchanges, enhance mutual trust and promote practical cooperation so as to create favorable atmosphere for the improvement of bilateral ties. The Japanese side said that the purpose of this visit is to witness China’s development progress, help promote the understanding and communication of young generation between both countries so that they will shoulder the responsibilities of promoting bilateral ties in the future. The two sides also exchanged views on how could China maintain stable economic growth, China’s cultural exchanges, economic ties, and people-to-people bond with the rest of the world.

 

Council Member Li Dongping made a presentation for some of the delegation members, covering the subjects of the Chinese Dream, Two Centennial Goals, “Four Comprehensives” and the 13th Five-year Plan. She also exchanged ideas with the delegation on bilateral relations and economic ties. JCI Japan 2016 Executive Vice-President Kenichi Sasaki said in his summing-up speech that the members of the delegation are quite eager to gain comprehensive insights into China’s development progress and concept. He added that the presentation satisfied their wishes by enabling them to gain an overall, comprehensive and objective understanding of China and thus dispelling many of their doubts. He promised that JCI Japan would continue to strive towards Japan-China relations featuring win-win cooperation.

 

Under the arrangement of the CAFIU, some members of the delegation visited Tianjin Ziya Economic and Technological Development Zone. Established in 2012, Tianjin Ziya Economic and Technological Development Zone develops very fast in recent years. It is the only national economic and technological development zone focusing on energy saving, environmental protection and circular economy. The delegation visited TCL-AOBO Environmental Protection & Development Co., Ltd., Tianjin Sinone Renewable Resources Co., Ltd., Tianjin Changrong Zhende Machinery Co., Ltd. and the exhibition room of the development zone. Then a seminar was held at the Administration Committee of the development zone. In the seminar, the delegation exchanged views with Ji Guoqiang, Secretary of the CPC Tianjin Jinghai District Committee, Zhang Xifeng, Director of the Standing Committee of the People’s Congress of Jinghai District, officials from Investment Promotion Agency of Jinghai District and the Administration Committee, as well as some business leaders. Ji Guoqiang expressed his wish that young Japanese can shoulder the responsibility of defending world peace and make new contribution to the development of friendly ties between China and Japan. In his remarks, he also said that it is hoped that the seminar could help facilitate further cooperation in energy saving and environmental protection between China and Japan, since the cooperation in this area between the two nations enjoy huge potential and many fruitful results. The delegation said that the distorted views many Japanese have towards China are largely due to the overwhelmingly negative media reports in Japan. Japan may learn something from China’s clear goals set in the coordinated development of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei, industrial policies and the development of local economy. The delegation said that through the whole day’s visit and discussions, they learned that strengthening exchanges is the only way to get to know each other better. After the seminar, these Japanese friends took a walk at Tianjin Quanyechang Pedestrian Street to catch a glimpse of China’s traditional culture.

 

Through the mutual visits this year, the two sides feel that there is a huge potential for deepening exchanges and cooperation across the spectrum, and people-to-people exchanges would help improve the bilateral ties. This year, the two sides have carried out successful exchanges on environmental protection. It is hoped that the two sides will continue with the exchanges and cooperation on issues of common interest.