A year of cultural and social exchange activities between Japan and China got off to a bright start with the official opening of "Japan-China Year 2007" on Wednesday in Tokyo.

 

Japan-China Year, with the theme "HE," Chinese for peace and harmony, is aimed at promoting exchanges between peoples, Japanese and Chinese, and people from difference countries, Huang Yaoting, chairman of Japan-China Year organization committee and chief of Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Japan said at the opening ceremony.

 

The event will kick off with a commemorative concert today, followed by sakura appreciation tours, exhibitions, performances and art shows in the first half of 2007, Huang said.

 

Also on the agenda is the Ninth World Chinese Entrepreneur Convention to be held in September 2007, and a beauty contest for domestic and overseas Chinese contestants.

 

In October, a team of scholars, students and journalists from China and Japan will retrace the steps of diplomatic officials who traveled from ancient China through Xi'an in northwestern China' Shaanxi Province to Nara in Japan's Kinki Region.

 

A series of activities will be held in Beijing to conclude the Year, organizers said.

 

Japan-China Year is organized by the privately run World Chinese Entrepreneur Convention and China Year organization committee, and supported by several Japanese ministries including the Foreign, Economy, Trade and Industry, and Land, Infrastructure and Transport ministries.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 9, 2006)