36th Sino-Japan Economics Knowledge Exchange Opens

On April 12, the 36th Sino-Japan Economics Knowledge Exchange, jointly sponsored by the Development Research Center of the State Council of PRC (DRC) and the People’s Government of Hunan Province, opened in Changsha. Li Wei, China’s chief representative and DRC President, and Toshihiko Fukui, Japan’s chief representative and chairman of the Canon Institute for Global Studies delivered speeches at the opening ceremony. Before the meeting, CPC Hunan Provincial Committee Secretary and Hunan Provincial People’s Congress Standing Committee Director Du Jiahou met with some of the representatives present at the exchange. Hunan Governor Xu Dazhe delivered a speech at the opening ceremony.

　　Du Jiahao, on behalf of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee and the People’s Government of Hunan Province, welcomed the distinguished guests and stated his pleasure at holding the exchange in Hunan. Du said, “In recent years, Hunan has been vigorously implementing innovation-driven opening up strategy, and deepening cooperation with Japan in such fields as economy and trade, science, education, health, environmental protection, and cultural tourism.” He continued, “Changsha has opened direct flights to Tokyo, Osaka, and other places in Japan.” “The exchange will surely promote the wide-ranging and multi-level cooperation and development between Hunan and Japan in various fields such as economy and trade, science, education, and culture. It will continuously expand friendly exchanges between people of the two places, so as to realize mutual benefits and win-win results.” Du added.

　　Li Wei pointed out that the Sino-Japan Economics Knowledge Exchange is an important bilateral exchange platform and dialogue mechanism. He hoped that the two sides will take this opportunity to further strengthen cooperation and continue to communicate closely to response to the “Belt and Road” initiative, so as to contribute to promoting economic globalization, building a community with shared future for humanity, and benefiting the people of the world.

　　In his speech, Xu Dazhe said that Hunan and Japan have enjoyed a time-honored history of exchanges and good foundation in economic and trade cooperation. Xu said, “We will resolutely implement President Xi Jinping's keynote speech at the Boao Forum for Asia, focus more on cultural exchanges and economic and trade cooperation with Japan, optimize investment environment, and upgrade “go global” and ”bring in” strategies. More efforts will be taken to strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights, and jointly create a better future with investors including those from Japan.

　　Toshihiko Fukui hoped that through the continued convening of the Sino-Japan Economics Knowledge Exchange, the macroeconomic policies of the two countries will be coordinated and the global economic governance cooperation strengthened. The two countries will promote trade exchanges and two-way investment, and build up the economic ties. He said, “Hunan boasts beautiful natural scenery and matured cultural industries. We are willing to strengthen friendship and deepen cooperation with Hunan.”

　　The Sino-Japan Economics Knowledge Exchange was established in 1981. China and Japan take turns to hold the event each year, and have dialogues on economic development and reform issues.

　　The conference this year will focus on topics such as world economic situation, the economic situations and policies of China and Japan, and the economic and trade cooperation and innovation between China and Japan.

　　DRC Former President Zhang Yutai, Former Deputy Director of National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) Peng Sen, Former Vice Minister of Ministry of Commerce of PRC Zhang Zhigang, Former Vice Minister of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) of Japan, Former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Finance of Japan, and Hunan provincial leaders including Chen Xiangqun and Xie Jianhui attended the opening ceremony or joined the meeting.

　　DRC Deputy Director Zhang Laiming presided over the ceremony.