CICG executives attend think tank seminar in Osaka

Executives from China International Communications Group (CICG) attended a think tank seminar held in Osaka, Japan, on Friday.

The China-Japan scholars and think tanks seminar, themed on interpreting China in the new era, was organized by the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Osaka, CICG Asia-Pacific, and the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies.

A China-Japan scholars and think tanks seminar is held in Osaka, Japan, April. 25, 2025. [Photo/CICG]

CICG Vice President Yu Tao said in his keynote speech that as important countries in Asia and beyond, China and Japan need to uphold multilateralism, promote open regionalism, and strengthen communication and cooperation. China welcomes more Japanese scholars, media professionals, and young people to visit the country, experience the achievements of the Chinese modernization firsthand, and drive the steady and long-term development of China-Japan relations through mutual understanding. 

Yu Tao, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG), speaks at a China-Japan scholars and think tanks seminar in Osaka, Japan, April 25, 2025. [Photo/CICG]

Xue Jian, China's consul general in Osaka, said that China is pursuing a uniquely Chinese path to modernization— a development approach aimed at improving the lives of its people— and is dedicated to achieving win-win outcomes for the world. He said that the key to understanding China in the new era lies in understanding Chinese modernization, and that only through firsthand experience can one fully grasp the country’s development, innovation, openness, and inclusiveness.

Xue Jian, China's consul general in Osaka, speaks at a China-Japan scholars and think tanks seminar in Osaka, Japan, April 25, 2025. [Photo/CICG]

Banri Kaieda, vice chairman of the Japan–China Friendship Parliamentarians' Union, said that given the different paths each country has taken, the most important principle in China-Japan exchanges is to uphold the concepts of "harmony in diversity" and "seeking common ground while shelving differences." He called on Japanese members of parliament to visit China and engage directly with both officials and the public. Only by fostering more active China-Japan exchanges in as many areas as possible can the two countries pave the way to lasting peace and prosperity.

Banri Kaieda, vice chairman of the Japan–China Friendship Parliamentarians' Union, speaks at a China-Japan scholars and think tanks seminar in Osaka, Japan, April 25, 2025. [Photo/CICG]

During the seminar, scholars from Chinese and Japanese think tanks held in-depth discussions on topics including China-Japan economic and trade cooperation, China's technological innovation, and the deepening of peaceful and friendly relations between China and Japan.

At the seminar, CICG Asia-Pacific, the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, and the Belt and Road Initiative Japan Research Center jointly signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in regional and country studies. The agreement aims to establish a long-term cooperation mechanism that provides more diverse perspectives and pathways for the Japanese public and the international community to understand Chinese modernization.

Executives from CICG Asia-Pacific, the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, and the Belt and Road Initiative Japan Research Center sign a memorandum at a seminar in Osaka, Japan, on April 25, 2025. [Photo/CICG]