China commemorated on Wednesday the 100th anniversary of the
birth of Kinkazu Saionji and Tokuma Utsunomiya, two late Japanese
statesmen who committed their lives to improving relations between
Japan and China.
Addressing a commemoration seminar, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan
spoke highly of Saionji and Utsunomiya's contribution to promoting
normalized relations and strengthening China-Japan friendship.
"Their glorious achievements and lofty spirit are indelibly
engraved in the memories of the two peoples and are recorded in the
history of China-Japan friendship," Tang said.
Utsunomiya was former head of Japan-China Friendship Association
who devoted his life to promoting friendly ties with China.
Saionji was a former lawmaker who had made great contributions
to the normalization of Japan-China relations. He was on friendly
terms with former Premier Zhou Enlai.
Both of Japanese men were granted the title of "friendship
ambassador" by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with
Foreign Countries.
Tang said since the normalization of China-Japan ties 34 years
ago, the two countries have become closer, which has benefited the
two peoples and contributed to peace, stability and development of
Asia and the world at large.
He says bilateral ties are at a key period of development.
"Under the efforts of both sides, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo
Abe had made a successful visit to China last month, bringing
bilateral ties back to normal track for development," the state
councilor said.
"China is ready to work with Japan to promote exchanges and
cooperation in an all-round way, and commit itself to realizing the
goal of peaceful co-existence, long-term friendship,
mutual-beneficial cooperation and common development," he said.
The state councilor also affirmed the irreplaceable role of
non-governmental exchanges in promoting the resumption and
development of bilateral ties. He called on both sides to conduct
friendly exchanges and hand down China-Japan friendship from
generation to generation.
Nearly 100 friendly people from the two countries attended the
seminar.
(Xinhua News Agency November 9, 2006)
