Headed by Takako Doi, member of the House of Representatives of Japan and leader of the Japanese Social Democratic Party, the group of Japanese guests attended Sunday's opening of the celebration activity at the Chinese Women's College, together with over 200 college staff persons and students of the school.

Peng Peiyun, vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and President of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), together with Miki Mutsuko, widow of former Japanese Prime Minister Miki Takeo and also President of the Asian Women's Friendship Association, cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony.

Shen Shuji, vice-president and Secretary of the Secretariat of ACWF said that Chinese and Japanese women have enjoyed a long tradition of communication which can be traced back to the time before the normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations.

The exchanges between women of the two countries have greatly expanded since normalization, said Shen, adding that she hopes the two sides take the 30th anniversary as an opportunity to elevate bilateral communication and cooperation to a new level.

Tenkoko Sonoda, widow of former Foreign Minister Nao Sonoda, and President of the Japan-China Peace and Friendship Liaison Association, said that women should play an important role in maintaining world peace.

The understanding and friendship between women of the two countries will be strengthened through this activity, said Tenkoko Sonoda, adding that she believes the friendship between Japan and China will be passed on from generation to generation.

Following the opening ceremony, the Japanese guests viewed a photo exhibition depicting the development of Chinese women and then signed their names on a long sari to voice their best wishes. They also planted trees in the school.

China Women's College is the first women's school for higher education in China, a center of women's education and training, the theoretical study of women's issues, and a source of information and materials on women. As a window of ACWF, the college has conducted exchanges and cooperation with universities and research institutes from dozens of countries and regions in the world.

(Xinhua News Agency September 9, 2002)