Japanese Business Delegation to Visit China

Tokyo, Nov. 19 (Jiji Press)--A delegation of about 250 Japanese business executives is scheduled to visit China starting Monday to discuss ways to promote cooperation between the two countries. The delegation will be sent by the Japan-China Economic Association jointly with the Japan Business Federation, or Keidanren, and the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The association has sent a similar delegation to China almost every year since 1975. The executives will include Sadayuki Sakakibara, chairman of Keidanren, Japan's largest business lobby. "I want to exchange opinions directly (with Chinese leaders) on China's economy and bilateral relations now that China has elected a new leadership team," Sakakibara said. The organizers of the delegation have asked the Chinese side to set up meetings with Chinese leaders, including President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang. Topics to be discussed between the Japanese delegation and Chinese officials are expected to include cooperation by Japanese companies on Beijing's "One Belt, One Road" development initiative for countries along the old Silk Road. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China, to be followed by the 40th anniversary next year of the conclusion of the bilateral peace and friendship treaty. Japan and China need to jointly promote free trade amid global concerns about the rise of antiglobalism, said Shoji Muneoka, chairman of the Japan-China Economic Association. "China started to be confident in various fields," JCCI Chairman Akio Mimura said, suggesting that the One Belt, One Road initiative will be a key issue for Japan.Copyright JIJI PRESS LTD.