Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), left Beijing Tuesday for an official good-will visit to Japan at the invitation of Tamisuke Watanuki, speaker of the House of Representatives and Yutaka Inoue, president of the House of Councilors.
During his week-long visit, Li will meet with the Japanese Emperor, meet or hold talks with the speaker of House of Representatives and the president of House of Councilors, the Japanese prime minister and leaders of major political parties of Japan and have extensive contact with people from various sectors.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral relations between China and Japan. Li's visit is expected to further promote the healthy and steady development of China-Japan relations.
Leaving aboard the same plane were Li's entourage.
Li was seen off at the Great Hall of the People by Jiang Chunyun, vice-chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, State Councilor Luo Gan, Secretary-General of the NPC Standing Committee He Chunlin, Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan and Japanese Ambassador to China Koreshige Anami.
(Xinhua News Agency April 2, 2002)
