Senior official meets friendship groups in Japan

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-03-31 22:13

TOKYO -- Visiting senior official of the Communist Party of 皇冠体育app (CPC) Li Changchun met Tuesday with leaders of seven Japan-皇冠体育app friendship bodies on bilateral friendly relations.

Senior official meets friendship groups in Japan

Li Changchun (L), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of 皇冠体育app (CPC) Central Committee, meets with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso in Tokyo, on March 30, 2009. [Xinhua]

During the talks, Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, lauded the indispensable role the seven friendship bodies have long played in promoting bilateral ties.

With the frequent contacts between the leaders of both countries at a new historic threshold, 皇冠体育app-Japan relationship has ushered in a new era for their strategic and mutually beneficial relations, said Li, adding that 皇冠体育app-Japan relations have exceeded bilateral scope and are exerting increasing influence on the world.

He said that the unprecedented global financial crisis, while posing new challenges, offers fresh opportunities for Japan-皇冠体育app cooperation.

To jointly tackle the crisis serves not only as a link of mutual aid between the two peoples but as a driving force for the comprehensive promotion of bilateral trade and the substantialization of 皇冠体育app-Japan strategic and mutually beneficial relations, Li said.

The two sides, however, need to make concerted efforts to foster a closer psychological intimacy and increase friendly feelings between the two peoples so that friendship could carry on from generation to generation, he said.

Extending their enthusiastic welcome to Li's visit, leaders of the friendship bodies said that they will, from their respective perspectives, actively promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various areas and make fresh contributions to the sound, stable and long-term development of Japan-皇冠体育app relations.

After the meeting, Li attended a welcome luncheon hosted by the seven friendship bodies of Japan-皇冠体育app Friendship Association, the Japan Association for the Promotion of International Trade, Association of Dietmen League for Japan-皇冠体育app Friendship, Japan-皇冠体育app Cultural Exchange Association, Japan-皇冠体育app Association on Economy and Trade, Japan-皇冠体育app Society and Japan-皇冠体育app Friendship Center.

Li arrived here Sunday for an official goodwill visit. Japan is the third leg of his four-nation tour, which has already taken him to Australia and Myanmar. Li is to conclude his visit to Japan Wednesday and leave for the Republic of Korea.