Wang Zhaoguo, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, on Monday urged Chinese and Japanese civil organizations to strengthen cooperation to promote bilateral ties.

Wang expressed his appreciation to Makieda Motofumi, president of the Japan-China Skilled-Workers Exchange Center (JCSWEC), for his efforts in promoting friendship over the past 20 years.

He also thanked the JCSWEC and other Japanese non-governmental organizations for their contributions to the promotion of friendship.

Wang quoted Chinese President Hu Jintao as saying that cooperation between China and Japan would benefit both, but discord would be detrimental to both.

"I hope Mr. Motofumi and other organizations continue to promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation to make new contributions to bilateral friendship and cooperation," said Wang, also president of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions (ACFTU).

The JCSWEC, established by Motofumi 20 years ago, has invited more than 10,000 Chinese workers to Japan for advanced studies and dispatched nearly 1,300 Japanese language teachers to China.

Source: Xinhua