The conference celebrating the 50th anniversary of normalization of China-Japan diplomatic relations was held on September 16 in a hybrid format by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), China-Japan Friendship Association and Japan-China Friendship Association. More than 300 representatives from relevant organizations at sub-national levels in China and Japan attended this event. Director-General Zhang Xiaomei, also President of Hubei Provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, joined the conference via video link.

Lin Songtian, President of CPAFFC, addressed the opening ceremony. He stated that the past 50 years have shown time and again, that as long as China and Japan respect each other, increase mutual learning, and seek common ground while shelving differences, the two countries could coexist in harmony and pursue common development. He said that as two close neighbors in east Asia, China and Japan should stay on the path of peaceful development. Lin expressed his hope for another 50 years of stronger and more resilient bilateral relations that meet the needs of the new era.

Former Secretary-General of the Liberal Democratic Party Toshihiro Nikai, President of Japan-China Friendship Association Uichiro Niwa, Executive Vice President of China-Japan Friendship Association Cheng Yonghua, Chinese Ambassador to Japan Kong Xuanyou, and Japanese Ambassador to China Hideo Tarumi all delivered speeches.

Yuan Mindao, Vice President of CPAFFC, reviewed past non-governmental exchange events organized by China-Japan Friendship Association between 2018 to 2022. The 2022 joint initiative on China-Japan friendly exchanges was launched at the end of the conference.

Pictures of celebrations held in Hubei were also shown to the audience.