After exploring the economic, political, social and cultural circumstances of China's business hub of Shanghai for two days, the 200-odd member Japanese delegation left here Saturday for northwest China's Lanzhou to continue their week-long China tour.

The delegation, composed of descendants and representatives of the Japanese participants of the largest-ever Japan-China youth gathering in 1984, started the visit as part of the two countries' efforts to carry on friendship from generation to generation.

Led by former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone, members of the delegation had exchanges with youth and personages of various circles during their stay in Shanghai.

They visited Shanghai Stock Exchange, whose trading shares are covered by the country's benchmark Shanghai Composite Index, and Bao Steel Co. Ltd, the Shanghai-based industry heavyweight.

Besides, they also visited an agricultural and gardening base as well as some local families and communities, engaging in cultural activities, including playing diabolo, calligraphy and ikebana.

Their Shanghai stay was further enriched by trips to the city's bar association, media, university, TV tower and museums.

The visit is also part of the activities celebrating the 2007 China-Japan Culture and Sports Year.

In the fall of 1984, 3,000 Japanese young people visited China, making it the largest foreign group China had ever received. The event was described as unprecedented in the history of China-Japan friendship.

Besides Shanghai and Lanzhou, the Japanese delegation will also visit Beijing.

Source: Xinhua