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)