Yukari Tsuru: Youth exchanges promote Sino-Japanese friendship

Youth exchanges between China and Japan

In his opening remarks for the 9th UNESCO Youth Forum in October 2015, Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his hope that young people from different countries will view the world with an appreciative, inquisitive and sharing mind, so as to promote exchanges, mutual understanding and harmonious co-existence between different civilizations and make contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind.

In addition to the China-Japan-Korea Children’s Painting Exhibition, Yukari promised that in the future, there will be more exchanges between Chinese and Japanese children through various activities. For example, an orchestra formed by autistic children from Angel’s Confidant Salon, an NGO in Shanghai, delivered a wonderful performance at the opening ceremony for the 6th Children’s Painting Exhibition. They also exchanged handmade gifts with their Japanese counterparts.

Speaking of China’s reform and opening up, Yukari said she is not an expert in politics and economics. However, she has read the report delivered at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China held last October. During her stay in Beijing, she visited the Xiong’an New Area. What impressed her most is that the Chinese people are more internationalized thanks to exchanges with other countries. By drawing upon others’ advantages, China has achieved a better development.

(Yukari Tsuru’s wishes for China’s further reform and opening up)

At the end of the interview, Yukari wrote down her wishes for China’s further reform and opening up: “Reviewing the past helps one to understand the present. China should protect its tradition while absorbing new cultures to achieve further development. I am looking forward to the future of the Chinese civilization.” She also hopes that the friendly exchanges between China and Japan can be passed down from generation to generation.

Story by Yu Jingfei

Translated by Wu Qiong

Cameraman: Zeng Weilei