China supports youth exchanges with Japan, FM spokesman

China will cooperate with Japan to promote exchanges and communication between young people to improve and develop bilateral ties, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao said on Thursday.

"China appreciates the Japanese efforts in promoting youth exchanges," Liu said when asked to comment on a Japanese invitation to 1,000 Chinese students to visit Japan.

The first 200 students will leave next week.

China always supported non-governmental exchanges with Japan that were intended to enhance mutual-understanding and friendship, Liu said.

"I myself hosted some Japanese students who were in Beijing for exchange program when I was still a postgraduate at university," said the 42-year-old spokesman.

The present difficulty in Sino-Japanese relations was rooted in the repeated visits by some Japanese leaders to the Yasukuni Shrine, where World War II criminals were honored, Liu said.

In a bid to improve bilateral ties, Liu noted, the two sides were "in contact" to arrange meetings between the two foreign ministers.

"China always tries to overcome difficulties, and improve and develop relations with Japan. We hope the Japanese will understand our sincerity," the spokesman said.

Source: Xinhua