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From July 22 to 26, a Japanese young Dietmen delegation of the Dietmens League for Japan-China Friendship (DLJCF) headed by Masayoshi Hayashi, secretary general of the DLJCF and member of the House of Councillors from the Liberal Democratic Party, visited Beijing, Changsha and Shanghai at the invitation of the China-Japan Friendship Association. During the visit, Li Yuanchao, member of the Political Bureau and the Secretariat and head of the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, met with the delegation. CPAFFC President Chen Haosu met with the delegation and hosted a banquet in its honour. The delegation called on Zhou Qiang, governor of Hunan, He Yafei, vice foreign minister and Yang Yue, president of the All-China Youth Federation, and had informal discussions on Sino-Japanese relations and youth exchange between the two countries with the teachers and students of China Youth University for Political Sciences.

At his meeting with the delegation on July 24, Li Yuanchao expressed appreciation of the important contributions the DLJCF has made over the years to advancing the cause of Sino-Japanese friendship, the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, and promoting the healthy development of bilateral relations. He noted, now the development of Sino-Japanese relations appears gaining momentum. President Hu Jintao made an official visit to Japan in early May; it was a successful “warm spring visit”, during which the two countries reached extensive common understanding on promotion of the strategic relationship of mutual benefit in an all-round way. Now, the Sino-Japanese relations are at a new historical starting point, having a new opportunity for further development. To pursue good neighbourly relations between China and Japan conforms to the fundamental interests of both countries and peoples and is of great significance to peace, stability and prosperity in Asia and the world. The Chinese side is willing to work with the Japanese side to implement the agreements reached during President Hu Jintaos visit, and continue to increase friendly exchanges, deepen mutual benefit and cooperation, properly handle relevant problems, further enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, particularly the youth, and work hard to realize the lofty goal of peaceful co-existence, lasting friendship, cooperation of mutual benefit and common development.

Masayoshi Hayashi said, Japan-China relations have seen continuous improvement. Especially, the two visits to Japan by President Hu Jintao this year and his fruitful talks with Prime Minister Fukuda have expanded and deepened the contents of the bilateral strategic relationship of mutual benefit and brought about a turn for the better of the friendly sentiments between the two peoples. The governments of the two countries have reached consensus in principle on the East China Sea issue, which is highly appraised by the public opinion. He expressed sincere hope that the development of Japan-China friendly relations would bring tangible benefit to the people of the two countries and that young politicians of the two countries would strengthen exchanges and mutual understanding and work together to further interaction in all fields between the two countries and advance bilateral relations.

On the issue of East China Sea, Li Yuanchao pointed out, with concerted efforts by both sides, China and Japan have reached consensus in principle and publicized it. This is a major step taken by the two sides towards resolving the issue, a new progress made in their strategic relationship of mutual benefit, and in conformity with the idea of building a peaceful and harmonious world put forward by China. He hoped that the two sides would continue to handle this problem properly so that the principled consensus would have the understanding and support of the broad masses of people in the two countries.