在中国的日本留学生

Chinese and Japanese children pose for pictures during a tree planting ceremony in Beijing.

They're taking part in a week-long cultural exchange programme designed to strengthen ties between the two countries.

All of these kids have been affected by natural disasters.

The Chinese children are from Yushu in northwest China's Qinghai province. They're all orphans after losing their parents in the devastating earthquake that hit the region two years ago.

The other students are from the northeast of Japan, which was hit by a huge earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster last year.

14-year-old Endo Ruka is one of them.

"If cultural exchanges like this can contribute towards a better relationship between China and Japan, this would be great."

Later the Japanese students joined classes in a Beijing school where they demonstrated their basketball skills. 14-year-old Di Zhiqing was one of the Chinese players.

"I'm very exited about this visit. The Japanese earthquake was really traumatic for these guys. We've never experienced anything like that, but they have our sympathy. They're the same age as us, we can be friends."

The Japanese delegation is being led by ex-prime minister Tomiichi Murayama. He was in office during the devastating Kobe earthquake in 1995, which killed thousands. He told us why this trip's important.

"We call this a friendship of generations. We share 3,000 years of history. In the old days Japanese monks risked their lives sailing to China to study. During our long history both countries have influenced each other. A good relationship is a long-term goal."

Relations between China and Japan have had their ups and downs to say the least. But the organizers of this programme hope events like this can bring both countries closer together.

For CRI, I'm Dominic Swire.