I-unit, a kind of environmental protection car

A Chinese youth delegation, led by President Hu Jintao, visited Japan from May 4-10 on an invitation of the Japanese government. The move is part of the China-Japan Friendly Exchange Year of the Youth, 2008.

The delegation members listened to Hu's speech at Tokyo's Waseda University, and attended the inauguration ceremony of the China-Japan Friendly Exchange Year of Youth. The program was agreed upon by the two governments last June, when the former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone led 200 Japanese youths to China on the invitation of President Hu Jintao.

A Chinese youth delegation visited Japan in 1985. Beijing Review staff reporter Zhao Yulin was one of them. Thanks to this, she was chosen as an "old youth delegate" this year, invited by the Japanese government. The youth exchange year also marks the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between China and Japan, and the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Both China and Japan will hold a series of activities in various forms to promote this program. During its trip to Japan, the China youth delegation visited well-known companies including Toyota and Panasonic, went to several scenic spots, witnessed Japanese catering and hot-spring culture, and had meaningful discussions with young Japanese people.

At a welcome party held by the Japan-China friendly group, Ooki Chieko, a Japanese woman, showed Beijing Review an album with pictures cut from China's newspapers. One of the pictures is a group photo: President Hu with her 13-year-old son and another girl. The other picture shows President Hu signing an autograph for her son.

"My son likes President Hu Jintao very much," she said. "He felt it was a great honor to see Hu, and he began to observe the situation in China more closely since then."

Hu's signature is enlarged and highly treasured in the album. Ooki believes her son will be one of those promoting friendship between the two countries.

The "old youth delegates" visited well-known Nagoya-based Toyota Motor Corp., which boasts 12 factories in Japan and 53 production bases in 27 countries and regions. It produced a total of 8.53 million cars in 2007, ranking second in the world after the United States. The colorful electric board in the meeting and exhibition hall flashed "Welcome China Youth Delegation Visiting Japan." Vehicle models representing various periods of time were on display on the two sides of the hall.

The company pursues the idea of harmony between society and the environment, with all its showcases embodying the notion of energy conservation and environmental protection. The hybrid electric vehicles developed by the company are the best in the world, although they have a small sales volume due to their high prices. The I-unit, a kind of environmental protection car, was the center of attraction, with its miniature body. Since a car is usually used by one person at a time, many car manufacturers are vying to develop small-sized practical cars that are also environment friendly. The aim is to combine freedom and personal desire with social coordination and a natural environment.

China is a large market for Toyota cars. Some 20,000 Camrys are sold a month, with its sales volume even surpassing that of Volkswagen in China.

As one of the most developed countries in the world, Japan is a world leader in many fields. People in the country put great emphasis on the protection of ancient sites and the natural environment. Shirakawa Village is a fine example. The village has been chosen as a historic site listed in the world legacy, due to its unique housing construction, discovered by Germany. Its residents even moved to other places for the sake of keeping it intact.