Three days ago, a 3,000-member Japanese delegation arrived in China, looking to improve relations between the two Asian neighbors. With their tasks completed, a number of them decided to spend their remaining time to go sightseeing in and around the Chinese capital.
The delegates divided themselves into 80 groups... and set out to see the sights in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei Province.
A tour of Beijing's 798 Art Zone was enough to dispel certain illusions about China...
Delegates said the visit had given them a new image of China.
After an exchange conference held on Saturday, they explained that the foundation of ties between the two countries is people-to-people exchanges...
"The conference passed a proposal on promoting non-governmental exchanges. We hope there will be more communication between people to enhance exchanges of culture and tourism. I will strive to make this happen. When I go back, I'll tell my children that China is very good, that it has a long history, and that they have to come here to see it for themselves," delegate Kimura Hidetoshi said.
Over the weekend, some of the delegates also paid a visit to Shichahai and Nanluoguxiang to experience life in the old heart of the capital.
Most of the delegates who toured Beijing's old streets, known as hutongs, are from the tourism industry. They hope to find more opportunities to cooperate with China.
