Shandong, Japan pledge closer ties

He also expressed hope that the two sides would develop better cooperation between government departments, continue to deepen industrial and economic cooperation, encourage enterprises from both countries to participate in the Belt and Road Initiative, continue to expand cultural exchange, and work to develop a lasting partnership.

Kong Xuanyou, Chinese ambassador to Japan, said that China-Japan relations are now entering a new era and are presented with unprecedented opportunities for further development.

Kong said that Shandong attaches great importance to its relationship with Japan, and that the two sides have seen impressive results in economic, trade, and cultural cooperation. He expressed hope that both sides would work to achieve their full cooperation potential and share development opportunities through the promotional conference.

Hideki Makihara, Japan's Deputy Minister for the Economy, Trade, and Industry, said that Japanese enterprises have a strong presence in Shandong, while Shandong enterprises have made significant contributions to local development in Japan.

He said that the two sides should continue to deepen cooperation and push for a more sound and stable economic relationship.

Officials from Shandong's Jinan, Qingdao, and Yantai promoted the China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone at the conference, while the Shandong Provincial State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission promoted the province's key projects and expressed a desire to replace old growth drivers with new ones.

A number of project deals were also signed at the conference.