Students from the Yokohama Yamate Chinese School perform a lion dance at the Spring Festival reception hosted by the Chinese embassy in Tokyo on Jan 17. Jiang Xueqing / China Daily
Over 300 members of the Chinese community in Japan gathered at the Spring Festival reception hosted by the Chinese embassy in Tokyo on Friday to celebrate friendship and usher in the Chinese New Year.
Chinese Ambassador to Japan Wu Jianghao warmly welcomed the attendees and extended his heartfelt greetings. He emphasized that 2024 has been a year of positive improvement in dialogue and exchanges between China and Japan, fostering the development of bilateral relations.
"We must follow the correct direction set by the leaders of both countries, accelerating the establishment of a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship that meets the requirements of the new era. This will ensure the steady and long-term development of bilateral ties and bring benefits to the people of both nations," he said.
In November 2024 on the sidelines of the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima, Peru, leaders of China and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to comprehensively advance the strategic relationship of mutual benefit between the two countries.
Artists from the China Ethnic Song & Dance Ensemble's folk orchestra perform folk music at the Spring Festival reception hosted by the Chinese embassy in Tokyo on Jan 17. Jiang Xueqing / China Daily
Earlier this week, Premier Li Qiang met with a delegation of Japan's ruling coalition in Beijing. After nearly seven years, China and Japan have resumed the ruling party exchange mechanism, further solidifying the momentum of improvement and development of bilateral relations, Wu said.
On Dec 25, Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya jointly attended the second meeting of a high-level consultation mechanism on people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and Japan. They reached a 10-point consensus, including promoting mutual visits and exchanges, and supporting cultural and tourism cooperation, all of which will directly benefit the Chinese residing in Japan, Wu said.
The year 2025 is a critical year for implementing the spirit of the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, as well as the concluding year of China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25).
"We will further deepen comprehensive reforms, fully advancing the cause of building a strong nation and achieving national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization. Our efforts will continue to enhance the people's sense of fulfillment, happiness and satisfaction," said Wu.
Artists from the China Ethnic Song & Dance Ensemble's folk orchestra perform folk music at the Spring Festival reception hosted by the Chinese embassy in Tokyo on Jan 17. Jiang Xueqing / China Daily
He expressed hope that overseas Chinese in Japan would remain steadfast supporters of the motherland's development, promoters of friendship between the two peoples and storytellers of China's progress.
Shi Yong, minister of the Chinese embassy in Japan, delivered a toast during the reception, encouraging attendees to continue supporting the motherland's growth in the New Year and to contribute their wisdom and strength to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
The reception also featured vibrant performances, including a lion dance by students from the Yokohama Yamate Chinese School and folk music by artists from the China Ethnic Song & Dance Ensemble's folk orchestra.
