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The Japanese delegation displays a banner with the signatures of visiting cherry plantation association members at a welcome meeting in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, on March 27. [Photo by Wang Jia/chinadaily.com.cn] |
Despite unsteady relations between the two countries in recent years, Shibata thinks it highly necessary for both sides to keep communicating and strive to maintain peace, including folk exchanges akin to the cherry blossom week.
During the cherry tree plantation event, many young Japanese students dressed in kimonos took part in the activity. Shibata expressed his expectation that more young people should join in to continue the peace-keeping practice.
"We have to not only plant trees, but to help them grow healthily based on the efforts of both sides, as all these cherry blossoms represent the friendship of every visitor." Shibata hopes that the cherry blossoms can help build a friendly bridge between China and Japan.
