Festival held to enhance Sino-Japan ties  

大型日本文化节“夏日盛典in北京2012”开幕

作为纪念中日邦交正常化40周年的主要活动，大型日本文化节“中日友好 夏日盛典in北京2012”于9月1日盛大开幕。

Beijing (CNS) -- An activity to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations began Saturday at Beijing's Chaoyang Park.

The two-day "Super Summer Festival," which included performances designed to introduce the cultures of both countries, came amid ongoing tension over a territorial dispute in the East China Sea.

Due to joint planning by the Japanese and Chinese governments, more than 600 exchange activities and programs are planned to be held between the two countries this year, said Vice Minister of Culture Zhao Shaohua.