Chongqing - Chongqing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries celebrated the 90th birthday of Mr. Mitsuru Hanai, economic adviser to the People's Government of Chongqing Municipality, via a video link on May 12 to express gratitude for his efforts to bond China and Japan.

Mr. Mitsuru Hanai, as the economic advisor and former chairman of Asahi Trading Co., Ltd, has not only made ongoing efforts to promote economic and trade cooperation between Chongqing and Japan but also played a unique role in promoting Chongqing's opening up to the rest of the world.

Chen Zhihui, former Deputy Director of the Standing Committee of the Chongqing Municipal People's Congress, reviewed the endeavors of Mr. Mitsuru Hanai in promoting major cooperation projects between Chongqing and Japan. And he hoped that Mr. Mitsuru Hanai would continue to offer advice for the friendly cooperation between both countries. 

Mr. Mitsuru Hanai has lived, studied, and worked in China for 19 years and where he spent the most youthful and precious time in his life. After returning to Japan in 1958, he was committed to promoting friendly cooperation between China and Japan. Hired as the economic adviser of the Chongqing Municipal Government in 1985, he made outstanding contributions to the significant projects in Chongqing. He introduced the monorail technology for Chongqing Monorail Line 2, imported technology for making air conditioning compressors for Chongqing Jianshe Industry Group Co., Ltd, and contributed to building the oxygen plant for Chongqing Iron and Steel Co., Ltd, among other works.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan.

Wang Wen, President of Chongqing People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, said, "This year is an important milestone in the history of China-Japan relations. Fifty years ago, the two countries' leaders decided to normalize diplomatic relations with strategic wisdom and extraordinary political courage, opening a new chapter of peaceful and friendly cooperation."

She added, "It is believed that under the inspiration of the seniors and the efforts made by people from both sides, Chongqing and Japan will reach new cooperation in the fields of economy and trade, cultural exchanges, and local cooperation."

"I'm delighted that you held an online birthday party for me. Although I'm in Japan, I still care about Sino-Japanese friendship and Chongqing's economic and social development," said Mr. Mitsuru Hanai.

He recalled the reason why he participated in the construction of Chongqing Monorail Line 2. "Chongqing's mountains were high and roads were narrow. At that time, I hoped to take advantage of the monorail to solve the inconvenience for Chongqing residents."

In addition, Mr. Mitsuru Hanai said he would introduce his friends in the Japanese business community to Chongqing in his lifetime. He hoped that the next generation of the two countries would continue to strengthen communication and exchange.