CRI听力:Part of 3,000-Member Japanese Delegation Tours Beijing

A group of about 30 people from the Japanese delegation have toured Beijing's old residential areas on Saturday.

They saw traditional courtyards in downtown Beijing and traveled through the old alleyways on rickshaws.

One of the visitors says he was glad to see the ancient architecture being preserved for hundreds of years.

"Many Japanese are interested in Chinese classical novels. Many like to read the ones depicting society in the Qing Dynasty. I think modernization is important for China's development, but to preserve the hundreds-year-old buildings which embody the country's history and culture is also very important."

Some of the delegates also expressed that the tour helped them to know more about China.

"We have rented our flats to many Chinese students in Japan. I communicate a lot with them and feel interested in their life. I came and see China in person this time, trying to find more about the country."

The delegation arrived in China on Friday and divides into 80 groups to visit different parts of China.

They will be also visiting Tianjin, Hebei and Liaoning provinces.