Shao Qiwei, head of the China National Tourism Administration, speaks in Osaka, Japan, June 2, 2011. A Chinese delegation of around 100 officials from local government tourism bureaus, travel agencies and Chinese airlines is visiting Japan. [Xinhua/Ma Xinghua]

The China-Japan Tourism Industry Forum was held in Osaka on Thursday, with the aim of promoting the tourism exchange between China and Japan, especially Kansai area and the friendship between the two peoples.

The Chinese delegation led by Shao Qiwei, head of the China National Tourism Administration, governors form the Union of Kansai Governments including Toshizo Ido , governor of Hyogo Prefecture and Keiji Yamada, governor of Kyoto Prefecture, and officials from other institutions and local governments attended the forum.

In his speech entitled "The tourism exchange between China and Japan", Shao said that the two-way tourism exchange between China and Japan has a solid foundation built on mutual understanding, and there is a bright prospect for cooperation. He also said that Kansai area is the birthplace of Japanese culture and it is famous for its ancient capital looks. Kansai area, including the city of Osaka, has become an important tourist destination for Chinese people.

According to Shao, next year will be the 40th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan. Tourism is the bridge of friendship and messenger of peace. The tourist circle in China would like to take this opportunity, together with Japanese friends in the tourist circle, to strengthen cooperation in this historical turning point, expand exchanges, and contribute to the improvement and development of Sino-Japan relations.

Ido and Yamada also addressed the forum and expressed their willingness to make further efforts in promoting the tourism exchanges between China and Kansai, Japan.

After the forum, Wu Jianguo, deputy head of the Shanghai Tourism Administration, on behalf of Jiangsu province, Zhejiang province and the Shanghai Tourism Union, signed a statement of intention on building the tourism exchange and cooperation partnership with Yamada Keiji, governor of Kyoto Prefecture representing Union of Kansai Governments.

The Union of Kansai Governments, established in December 2010, is the first wide-area administrative union which includes Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka Hyogo, Wakayama, Tokushima, and Tottori.