Sino-Japanese friendship boosted through tree planting
Chinese and Japanese people devoted to promoting friendship between the two countries planted 20 cherry trees at the New Hongqiao Central Garden in Changning District on Saturday to wish for the end of the epidemic outbreak and world peace.
It's the 10th cherry tree planting held by the Shanghai Overseas Returned Scholars Association's Japan section. Previously, the event was held in Luxun Park in Hongkou District and it moved to Changning for the first time this year.
Sha Hailin, chairman of the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, said at the ceremony that the friendship between China and Japan rooted in generations of people.
He said the Shanghai Overseas Returned Scholars Association, especially its Japan section, has been active in promoting the friendship between China and Japan. With their efforts, hundreds of cherry trees have been planted in Luxun Park during the past decade.
Sha pointed out that Changning was an important window for Sino-Japanese cooperation as it hosts a lot of Japanese companies and residents.
He said the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries will continue working with social organizations and individuals to improve the friendship between China and Japan and promote cooperation between the two in all areas.
Akio Isomata, consul-general of Japan in Shanghai, expressed his appreciation on behalf of the consulate-general and Japanese in Shanghai to all those who organized the event.
He said now Japan is fighting the epidemic and thanked the Chinese people who provided assistance to Japan.
He quoted a poem by Fang Yue, a Song Dynasty poet — “The remote mountains can also get an early spring, with the mountain cherry blossom all blooming on the branches.”
That means the current difficulties can not stop progress toward a brilliant future.
He wished all the people good health, hoping that life would soon go back to normal.
