Consul General Liu Xiaojun in Nagoya Meets with Wei Chengbing, President of the Japan Fujian Overseas Chinese Chamber of Commerce

Recently, reporters learned from the Chinese Consulate General in Nagoya that on the morning of May 20, Consul General Liu Xiaojun met at the consulate with renowned Fujianese overseas Chinese businessman Wei Chengbing, President of the Japan Fujian Overseas Chinese Chamber of Commerce。

President Wei later revealed that this was his first visit to the Chinese Consulate General in Nagoya as President of the Japan Fujian Overseas Chinese Chamber of Commerce following the renaming of the Japan Fujian Economic and Cultural Exchange Association under his leadership。

During this visit, which included a meeting with the Consul General, there were nine attendees in total, including President Wei. The other eight attendees were Vice Presidents of the former Japan Fujian Economic and Cultural Exchange Association, namely, Iwata Yoko, Miyazaki Kenji, Chen Liang, and Ye Jin, as well as board members Xue Xinhua, Wu Yibing, Yang Qi, and Jiang Yunzhi。

At the beginning of the meeting, President Wei first reported on the process of renaming the Japan Fujian Economic and Cultural Exchange Association to the Japan Fujian Overseas Chinese Chamber of Commerce and shared its past development。

President Wei stated that the Chamber of Commerce would continue to uphold the patriotic mission of the Exchange Association, remain deeply committed to the development of their ancestral homeland, fully support domestic efforts against the pandemic, and actively spread China's message through concrete actions. The Chamber will further promote Sino-Japanese economic and cultural exchanges, contribute to peace and friendship between China and Japan, and work to establish a positive image of overseas Chinese in Japan。

Consul General Liu Xiaojun welcomed President Wei Chengbing and his delegation, fully affirming the work of the Exchange Association prior to its renaming. He also expressed that the Nagoya Consulate General will strongly support the future development of the Chamber of Commerce。

During the meeting, Consul General Liu Xiaojun shared several expectations with the overseas Chinese entrepreneurs present：

First, to embody the Fujian business spirit of "daring to lead and striving to succeed."。He encouraged them to actively respond to national development strategies and work towards advancing Sino-Japanese local exchanges and economic cooperation to new heights。

Second, to showcase the unique historical and cultural charm of Fujian。This can be achieved by organizing a series of Sino-Japanese cultural exchange activities to strengthen and deepen grassroots, youth, and cultural exchanges between the two countries。

Third, to establish a positive image of solidarity and mutual assistance for the Chinese nation。They should base their actions on their development, tell China's story well, and strive to create a trustworthy, lovable, and respectable image of China。

Consul General Liu noted that Sino-Japanese relations currently face difficulties and challenges. However, the trend of the two peoples’ love for peace and pursuit of cooperation will not be altered by individual wills. He expressed hope that everyone would seize the opportunity of the 50th anniversary of the normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations to actively contribute to promoting grassroots friendship and deepening exchanges and cooperation across various fields。

At the end of the meeting, Consul General Liu reiterated that the Nagoya Consulate General would continue to uphold the principle of "diplomacy for the people" and convey the care of the homeland to overseas compatriots。

President Wei Chengbing expressed gratitude for the care, guidance, and support of the Nagoya Consulate General. He stated his willingness to lead the new Chamber of Commerce, leverage the strengths of Fujianese entrepreneurs, strengthen confidence in development, and foster unity among overseas Chinese to continually contribute to grassroots Sino-Japanese exchanges and economic cooperation。

Consulate staff members Xu Guangwei, Wu Bo, and Chen Yuwen were also present during the meeting。

According to reports，the Japan Fujian Economic and Cultural Exchange Association, a general incorporated association, was registered in Nagoya and held its founding ceremony on November 10, 2019。

Since its establishment, under the leadership of President Wei Chengbing, the association has actively participated in various activities held in China and Japan, enhancing its exchanges with people from all walks of life in Japan, especially with other overseas Chinese organizations。

Notably, since the outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, President Wei Chengbing led the association in initiating a series of donation campaigns. These efforts resulted in the donation of over 700,000 masks to provinces and cities in China, including Hubei and Fujian. Additionally, masks, disinfectants, and other protective supplies were donated to educational and medical institutions in Nagoya, earning widespread acclaim from Japanese society。

In response to developmental needs, and with the unanimous support and approval of all board members, the Japan Fujian Economic and Cultural Exchange Association recently officially changed its name to“the Japan Fujian Overseas Chinese Chamber of Commerce”。

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi (right) with Wei Chengbing, President of the Japan Fujian Overseas Chinese Chamber of Commerce

Coincidentally，two days before Wei Chengbing and his delegation visited the Chinese Consulate General in Nagoya, on May 18, reporters met President Wei in Tokyo. He had been specially invited as an outstanding representative of overseas Chinese in Japan to attend the annual meeting of the Kochikai, led by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida。

At the Kochikai event, reporters captured footage of President Wei Chengbing with the chair of the Kochikai, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi。