Cheng Yonghua, executive vice-president of the China-Japan Friendship Association (CJFA), gave a lecture on Sino-Japan relations at the invitation of Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) on Sept 22. 

More than 800 representatives from diplomatic circles, the academic community, and renowned universities attend the lecture on Sept 22.

It was the first lecture in a series launched by the Japanese Studies Center of the Cultivation Base for Studies of Individual Countries and Area Studies Registered with the Ministry of Education, the School of Japanese and International Studies and the Beijing Japanese Studies Centre of BFSU to celebrate the university's 80th anniversary. 

More than 800 representatives from the diplomatic community, think tanks, BFSU and other renowned universities at home and abroad attended the lecture. 

Zhao Gang, member of the standing committee of the CPC BFSU committee and vice-president of the university, met with Cheng. Zhao introduced BFSU's development throughout the past 80 years and the disciplinary construction of the Japanese language. He also thanked CJFA for its long-term support for the development of the university.

Zhao Gang (L), member of the standing committee of the CPC BFSU committee and vice-president of the university, meets with Cheng Yonghua (R), executive vice-president of CJFA on Sept 22.

"BFSU is the first foreign language university founded by the Communist Party of China. We have more than 400 alumni who have served as ambassadors and more than 2,000 alumni who have served as counsellors. We will continue to make contributions to the diplomatic cause of China in the future," Zhao said. 

Cheng congratulated BFSU on its 80th anniversary, spoke highly of its engagement in training high-quality talents in the fields of diplomacy, foreign affairs and foreign languages, and wished for the university to forge ahead and make more contributions to China's foreign affairs. 

Cheng Yonghua, executive vice-president of CJFA, delivers a lecture on Sino-Japan relations at BFSU on Sept 22.

Cheng gave a lecture on striving for the further development of Sino-Japanese relations in the new era. As the former Chinese ambassador to Japan, he reviewed his experience in studying and working abroad for more than 30 years and summarized the ups and downs of ties between the two countries in the recent 10 years. 

According to Cheng, China and Japan should expand exchanges and deepen collaborations based on international principles, improve mutual understanding, promote global governance and regional cooperation, deepen economic integration, and make efforts for reaching the consensus of building China-Japan relations in line with the requirements of the new era through anti-pandemic cooperation to maintain the stable development of bilateral relations. 

During the Q & A session, Cheng gave detailed explanations on several issues, including the Sino-US-Japan relationship, the administration of Japan and its policy towards China, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, Japanese studies, non-governmental contacts between China and Japan, and studying in Japan.