At the invitation of the China Association for International Friendly Contact (CAIFC), a delegation of 36 Japanese veterans, headed by Hanazono Akio, visited Beijing, Jinzhou, Dalian and other places in China from July 28 to August 6. They participated in a series of exchanges activities. The visit was a complete success.
During the delegation's visit to Beijing, Admiral Liang Guanglie, Commissioner of the Central Military Commission, State Councilor and Defense Minister, and Admiral Li Jinai, Commissioner of the Central Military Commission and Director of the General Political Department, respectively met with the delegation. Liang Guanglie and Li Jinai said at the meeting that, the Chinese people and the army would always remember the contributions made by Japanese veterans for China's revolution and national liberation, and expressed appreciation for the efforts they made to the friendly relationship between China and Japan. Liang Guanglie and Li Jinai expounded to the guest the principle and position of Chinese government and leaders on the promotion of comprehensive development of Sino-Japanese relations, and introduced achievements of China's reform and opening up as well as the development of China's military in the new era. They hoped the Japanese veterans to focus on China's construction and development in the future, and to make new contributions to the promotion of Sino-Japanese friendship. Hanazono Akio said, participating in the Chinese revolution and construction was a valuable life experience for the Japanese veterans. He also said the PLA was a peace-building army and an important force in safeguarding world peace. He would like to continue to make unremitting efforts for the development of friendly relations between Japan and China.
The delegation also attended the Army Day conference of the Ministry of National Defense, visited a armored division of Beijing military area and took part in the "Reviewing the history and looking forward to the future – Chinese and Japanese veterans forum" held by the CAIFC. The delegation also went to Liaoning-Shenyang Campaign Memorial Hall in Jinzhou, as well as Dalian and other places.
The People's Daily, PLA Daily, PLA television publicity center, Xinhua News Agency, China Central Television, China Radio International, China Daily, China News Agency, China National Radio, Liberation Daily, Phoenix TV and other domestic and foreign media reported the visit in-depth, which caused strong social reaction. Many other media also reprinted the reports.