On December 20, 2008, "China-Japan Youth Friendly Exchange Year" is concluded in the gymnasium of Beijing University of Aeronautics and Aerospace. Wen Jiabao, Premier of the State Council and former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda attended the closing ceremony.
The cold winter wind just cannot stop the enthusiasm of young people. The gymnasium of Beijing University of Aeronautics and Aerospace was ablaze with lights, filled with youthful ebullience and bursting with a happy and joyful atmosphere. A total of 2,008 young people gather together at the closing ceremony, including the Japanese youth delegation invited by the Chinese government and the representatives of Chinese youth from different circles.
At 3:00 p.m., the closing ceremony started. Wen Jiabao and Yasuo Fukuda walked into the hall together and were greeted by the audience with warm applause.
Lu Hao, first secretary of the Secretariat of the 16th Communist Youth League of China (CYLC), and Masahiko Komura, head of the Japanese youth delegation, former Foreign Minister of Japan and current President of the Japan-China Friendship Parliamentarians' Union addressed the closing ceremony respectively.
The youth of the two countries also staged an art performance. The youth from the two countries employed different art forms that young people love such as singing, dance, martial arts, hand shadow, and cartoon show to express the heartfelt appreciation for the traditional friendship between the two countries and their aspirations for a better tomorrow for China-Japan relations. Songs like "You and Me" and "Flowers and Youngsters" instrumental music like "Beat of the Times", "Japanese Taiko Drum", costume dance like "Silk Road", hand-shadow performance like "Garden Story", cartoon show like "Doraemon", and other vigorous and brilliant performances turned Beijing University of Aeronautics into a sea of joy.
In a happy and cheerful atmosphere, Wen Jiabao and Yasuo Fukuda, together with the young people of the two countries, tied the red ribbons symbolizing a better future for China-Japan relations on the "Wish Tree for China-Japan Friendship".
The curtain of the closing ceremony dropped slowly amidst the singing of "Friends Forever". The youth of the two countries joined the singing to express their sincere aspirations and common ideals for China-Japan friendship from generation to generation to the world.
Before the closing ceremony, Wen Jiabao met with Yasuo Fukuda and key members of the Japanese youth delegation.
Wen spoke positively of the contributions made by Yasuo Fukuda for the improvement and development of China-Japan relations. Wen said that build a mutually beneficial strategic relationship between China and Japan is a significant progress for the friendship made between China and Japan and the historic mission of the political leaders and various communities of the two countries. The two sides should seize the current favorable opportunity to push forward exchanges and cooperation and deepen mutual trust and achieve common development in the process of working together to overcome difficulties and challenges.
Wen Jiabao said that the successful holding of the "China-Japan Youth Friendly Exchange Year" on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the signing of "China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship" has far-reaching significance. The youth generations of the two countries should remember yesterday, cherish today, and work together to create a better tomorrow. They should write a new chapter for China-Japan friendship from generation to generation with their conviction and vigor.
Yasuo Fukuda said that Japan-China relations are developing smoothly toward the direction of mutual benefits from a strategic perspective. In the face of the current international financial crisis and challenges, Japan and China, in particular, should deepen cooperation and contribute to the financial stability and economic development of the two countries and the region. Yasuo Fukuda said that the foundation of Japan-China relations should be based on the promotion of mutual understanding and friendship between the people, especially between the youth. China-Japan Youth Friendly Exchange Year achieved a complete success. The Japanese side will continue to promote the exchange between the youth of the two countries. Lu Yongzheng, secretary of the Secretariat of the 16th Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) presided over the closing ceremony.
The "China-Japan Youth Friendly Exchange Year" program was determined by the leaders of the two countries last year. On March 15, 2008, the opening ceremony was held in Beijing and attended by Chinese President Hu Jintao. China and Japan then carried out a series of youth exchange activities in areas such as culture, academics, environmental protection, science, technology, media, TV, film and tourism.
The visiting Japanese youth delegation consists of representatives from all walks of life such as youth members of the parliament, senior high school students, college students, civil servants, corporate employees, and reporters. The delegation arrived in Beijing on December 18 and would visit Ningbo, Hangzhou, Shenyang, Dalian, Jinan, Qingdao, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Xi'an, Nanchang, Shanghai, and Tianjin.