Chinese people hail Hu´s Japan visit

WATCH VIDEO

Source: CCTV.com | 05-07-2008 08:27

The President's visit has likewise generated much attention at home. Many Chinese view it as a move toward warmer relations with their close neighbor.

The President's visit has likewise generated much  attention at home. Many Chinese view it as a move toward warmer relations with their close neighbor.

This is a Japanese language class at Beijing Foreign Studies University. Each year, some 80 Chinese students receive Japanese education at the college. Some of their lecturers come from Japan through an educational exchange program.

Students say the study of Japanese culture helps them better understand the nation and feel warmer towards its people.

Yang Zhunan, student of Beijing Foreign Studies University said "I find that the Chinese and the Japanese cultures share many similarities, and the two nations have deep historic ties. Learning about Japanese culture helps me better understand our own civilization."

Fan Zeyu, student of Beijing Foreign Studies University said "People say President Hu Jintao's visit to Japan is a "warm spring" visit. I hope it ushers in a new dawn of friendly exchanges between the two peoples and improves China-Japan relations."

Some students have expressed an admiration for Japan's economic achievements and high levels of education. But they also say Japan needs to face up to the recent peaceful rise of China.

Sun Weitie, student of Beijing Foreign Studies University said "I heard some Japanese regard China's further development as a threat to Japan. This has partly been instigated by Japanese right-wing activists, which has damaged our relations."

Sino-Japanese relations are back on track, especially after Premier Wen Jiabao's visit to Japan last year and Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's trip to China. With stronger economic links, dialogue between the two peoples has also witnessed gradual expansion. The two governments have agreed to establish an exchange program involving 4,000 Chinese and Japanese youths each year for the next four years.

Analysts predict that Hu's five-day trip will ease fears and build trust for future development.

Chu Xiaobo, Associate Professor of Peking University said "If the two leaders can sign a fourth document guiding Sino-Japanese relations, and agree on a systematic summit, that would be significant to improve mutual trust in their strategic relations."

Hu Jintao's visit to Japan may have come at just the right time, with both nations realizing that good neighborly relations will be in the long-term interests of both sides.

This is President Hu Jintao's longest state visit to any one country since he became President in 2003. It shows how seriously he takes the task of further warming relations with Japan. Despite lingering disputes over Japan's view of war history, territorial disputes in the East China Sea and the recent food safety issue, people in China hope their President's trip, known as the "warm spring" visit, will help promote China-Japan relations to benefit both peoples.

Editor:Xiong Qu