Chinese and Japanese youth celebrated the opening ceremony of the China-Japan Friendly Exchange Year of the Youth in Beijing on Saturday afternoon, marking the official launch of the year-long exchange program.

President Hu Jintao met with principal members of the 1,000-strong Japanese delegation at Beijing's Renmin University and watched a calligraphy show and tea ceremony given by the Chinese and Japanese youth.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (4th L) attends a calligraphy show with representatives from both China and Japan during the opening ceremony of the China-Japan Friendly Exchange Year of the Youth at Renmin University in Beijing, March 15, 2008.(Xinhua Photo/Lan Hongguang)