国内英语新闻:China says people-to-people exchanges with Japan important to bilateral ties

BEIJING, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- China said Tuesday people-to-people exchanges between China and Japan are important in the improvement and development of bilateral relations.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu made the comment at a regular press briefing here.

According to reports, Japan's Japan-China Friendship Association Sunday said on its website that China has informed the Japanese Foreign Ministry that it will accept a visit by some 1,000 Japanese youngsters to Shanghai to attend the 2010 World Expo.

The youngsters will visit Shanghai from October 27 to 30.

Ma's comment confirmed the visit by Japanese youngsters.

"We welcome more Japanese youngsters attending the 2010 Shanghai World Expo," Ma said.

People-to-people exchanges, youngsters in particular, between the two countries are very important in the improvement and development of bilateral relations, Ma said.