Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan suggested Tuesday that Sino-Japanese friendship could be promoted through non-governmental channels such as establishing sister-city links between the two countries' cities.

Tang made the remark while meeting a Japanese delegation led by Tatsuo Yada, mayor of Kobe, who were invited to China to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the sister-city link between Kobe and Tianjin, a north China port city which is a one hour drive from Beijing.

Initiated by former Chinese and Japanese leaders, the sister-city link program has helped enhance friendly ties, mutual understanding and exchanges in various fields between the two countries and their peoples, said Tang.

Since Tianjin and Kobe became the first couple of "sister cities" in 1973, 220 Chinese and Japanese cities have been paired so far.

The success also inspired China to conduct a similar practice to promote friendly ties with other countries, Tang said.

(Xinhua News Agency October 21, 2003)