The 40th Anniversary of the Friendship Between Shanxi Province and Saitama Prefecture

In order to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the friendly province-prefecture relations between Shanxi Province and Saitama Prefecture, an opening ceremony, a calligraphy exchange meeting and a symposium on elderly services were held on October 27 via online video. Deputy Director Liang Shujuan attended the opening ceremony and calligraphy exchange meeting and delivered a speech at the opening ceremony.

Liang pointed out that over the past 40 years, frequent cultural exchanges between Shanxi and Saitama have diversified cooperative projects, deepened cooperation and friendly relationship, promoted the local economic and social development and made positive contributions to the cause of China-Japan friendship. She hoped that both sides could continue to firmly believe in their friendship, enhance cooperation, pursue common development, join hands in creating a prosperous shared future and continuously make efforts to the friendly exchanges between Shanxi and Saitama, injecting new vitality into the friendship between China and Japan.

The opening ceremony was followed by a calligraphy exchange meeting with the theme of “Brush and Ink Writing Beautiful Shanxi” and an elderly care service symposium. 19 calligraphers from the two sides expressed their understanding of Chinese and Japanese calligraphy and their good expectations for friendship between Shanxi and Saitama, China and Japan. The two sides also had in-depth exchanges on social welfare and care for the elderly people, and discussed relevant cooperation opportunities.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relationship between China and Japan. By holding a series of activities to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the friendship between Shanxi Province and Saitama Prefecture, the tradition of friendly exchanges has been further inherited, the people-to-people bonds have been deepened, and the exchange and cooperation between China and Japan have been promoted. This anniversary organized by two sides is in line with the requirements of the new era and has contributed to building a harmonious China-Japan relationship.

(Contributed by Asia Division)