A delegation led by Yu Qun, vice-chairman of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF), visited Japan from July 15 to 19 at the invitation of the Asia-Pacific Children's Convention (APCC) in Fukuoka.
During the visit, Yu met with a number of senior dignitaries, including Yukio Hatoyama, former prime minister of Japan and now president of the Japanese Yuai (Friendship) Association, Hiroyoshi Akashi, president of the APCC Supporters Association, and others.
The CSCLF delegation also visited some of the Japanese trustees of the CSCLF Council, as well as Marine House, the permanent site for the Asia-Pacific Children's Convention (APCC) in Fukuoka.
Yu Qun (R), vice-chairman of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF), shakes hands with Yukio Hatoyama, former prime minister of Japan and now president of the Japanese Yuai (Friendship) Association. [Photo/CSCLF]
On July 17, Yu met with Yukio Hatoyama and sent him the regards of CSCLF Chairman Wang Jiarui.
Yu said that he was inspired by the relentless efforts made by Hatoyama to improve non-governmental cooperation between China and Japan.
"Not long ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping reached 10 consensuses with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during the G20 Summit in order to improve China-Japan relations."
"We should work together to strengthen connections between teenagers from both countries," Yu said.
The former prime minister asked Yu to send his regards to CSCLF Chairman Wang Jiarui. He said that the Japanese Yuai Association has been committed to promoting non-governmental exchanges between China and Japan for years.
He was glad that leaders from the two countries reached an agreement to launch the China-Japan High-level People to People Dialogue this year.
The Japanese Yuai Association will continue to work with CSCLF to promote China-Japan relations, the former prime minister added.
Yu Qun (L), vice-chairman of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF), poses for a photo with two Japanese trustees of the CSCLF council. [Photo/CSCLF]
During Yu's visit, he also met with several Japanese trustees of the CSCLF council and thanked them for their years of support for CSCLF.
He hoped trustees would mobilize more people from a variety of sectors to help improve China-Japan relations and help CSCLF strengthen exchanges between teenagers from the two countries.
Trustees voiced their desire to honor the spirit of Soong Ching Ling and work to improve relations between Chinese and Japanese people.
A trustee introduces photos of Sun Yat-sen and his wife Soong Ching Ling to the CSCLF delegation. [Photo/CSCLF]
The CSCLF delegation also visited Tokushukai Group, the largest non-profit medical institute in Japan, and met with its chairman, Takao Suzuki. Suzuki briefed Yu on the social medical programs the group had carried out in a number of countries.
Yu invited Suzuki to visit the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation and expressed hope that both sides would strengthen mutual understanding and discuss potential partnerships.
CSCLF Vice-Chairman Yu Qun (L) poses for a photo with Takao Suzuki, chairman of Tokushukai Group. [Photo/CSCLF]
The CSCLF delegation poses for a photo with Japanese representatives. [Photo/CSCLF]
Chen Aimin, director of the International Department of CSCLF, also took part in the relevant activities.
(Source: International Department of CSCLF)
