Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will pay an official visit to China from October 25 to 27, marking the first tour made by a Japanese prime minister to China since 2011.
As leaders of the two countries resume high-level dialogues in an effort to develop bilateral ties, Japanese students in China have also expressed optimism and confidence in seeing an improved friendship between the two countries.
A crowd gathered in front of Japanese culture booth set up by Japanese students at the 15th Peking University International Culture Festival, October 21, 2018. /CGTN Photo
“I think the relationship between China and Japan is not bad at the moment,” Kyoto University student Megumi Takayoshi told CGTN at the 15th Peking University International Culture Festival on Sunday. “And I hope after our leader visits China, he can work to build a stronger bond between the two countries.”
Kyoto University exchange student Megumi Takayoshi volunteered at Peking University's international culture festival. /CGTN Photo
Takayoshi is one of many Japanese exchange students currently studying at China's leading academy Peking University. They chose China as their study abroad destination for various reasons. Some are curious about China's fast-growing economy and global influence, while others keen on learning the Chinese language and philosophy.
Japanese students invite guests to get a glimpse of Japanese culture with a dance performance, beer tasting and game shows. /CGTN Photo
“I'm doing research in Chinese philosophy and Chinese thoughts,” Japanese doctoral student Yoshitaka Sato told CGTN. “I want to spend a year with Chinese experts in the field and bring the authentic knowledge back to Japan.”
Japanese student Yoshitaka Sato came to China to pursue doctoral study on Chinese philosophy. /CGTN Photo
Waseda University student Risa Shimono, runner-up of 2018 Miss Japan, came to China influenced by the growing Chinese student body in Japan. “Since I entered Waseda University, I made so many Chinese friends, and I found out that East Asia is going to be so important. We have to make more connections.”
Waseda University exchange student Risa Shimono, also 2018 Miss Japan runner-up, believed Abe's visit will make Chinese people more familiar with Japan. /CGTN Photo
Her classmate Ryota Nomura, on the other hand, was attracted by Chinese language and arrived in China to find the two countries share similarities in language but are different in so many other aspects. He was especially enchanted by the latest Chinese inventions including the convenient digital payment solution WeChat Pay and Alipay.
“In Japan, we always have cash, we never pay by scanning,” Nomura said. “It never happened in Japan, so I was really surprised when I came here.”
Waseda University exchange student Ryota Nomura was impressed by China's latest digital payment technology after he came to China. /CGTN Photo
Talking about similarities and differences between China and Japan, Peking University undergraduate Hirotaka Yuminaga believed people in China and Japan process the world in similar ways and the two cultures are intrinsically connected.
Hirotaka Yuminaga, a Peking University undergraduate, was curious in the rapid development of China's economy since he was in junior high school. /CGTN Photo
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship. With Abe's upcoming visit, Japanese students hope their leader can bring positive impact to China-Japan relationship and help people of the two countries to deepen understanding about each other.
“Japanese people don't really know about local Chinese people,” Shimono said. “My father and grandfather have the image of China decades ago, but China has advanced so much.”
“If the prime minister comes to China, then more people will have interest in each other,” Nomura said. “It's going to be a great chance for us to try to understand each other.”
“I hope there will be more cultural exchange between Chinese and Japanese students,” Takayoshi offered her solution in improving China-Japan relationship. “If young people can have more communication, after 30 or 50 years, our next generation will continue strengthening the bond between the two countries.”