On February 9, Ningxia Foreign Affairs Office (NXFAO) held an online meeting with Japan Ningxia Friendship Association (the Association). Bai Yuzhen, Deputy Director-General of NXFAO, attended the meeting and had in-depth exchanges with Moriwaki Tetsuo and Niide Katsuhiko, vice chairmen of the Association .

On behalf of NXFAO, Bai Yuzhen extended appreciation to the Association for its efforts to bolster exchanges and cooperation with Ningxia and for its long-term support, in particular its donations to help Ningxia fight COVID-19. Bai noted, as Ningxia is making an all-out effort to build the Yellow River Basin Pilot Zone for Ecological Protection and High-Quality Development, new opportunities have arisen for the friendly relations between the two sides. She hoped a regular contact mechanism would be established to further enhance non-governmental exchanges and promote cooperation in health, elderly care and education. She looked forward to ushering in a new chapter of friendship when the pandemic is over and invited the Japanese people and businessmen to join the Ningxia International Friendship Forum. 

Moriwaki Tetsuo, newly-elected Vice Chairman of the Association, introduced the Association’s plan for 2021. He appreciated NXFAO’s support and expressed his wish to expand exchanges and cooperation. With regular update of work progress, the Association will aim for enhanced cooperation through online interactions.

Since its inception in 2012, the Association has been committed to promoting friendly exchanges between Japan and Ningxia in all fields. When COVID-19 struck Ningxia, the Association offered support promptly and donated medical supplies, demonstrating its determination to stand together with Ningxia in difficult times. 

With frequent visits over the past years, the Association has engaged in fruitful cooperation with Ningxia in environmental protection, education, health care, culture and people-to-people exchanges, becoming a significant propeller of friendly relations between Ningxia and its international friendhsip city Shimane Prefecture.