Former Japanese prime minister Yukio Hatoyama (left) creates a woodblock New Year painting, one of the Chinese traditional crafts, at a promotional event for Shandong province of China in Tokyo on April 18. [Photo by Jiang Xueqing/China Daily]

For former Japanese prime minister Yukio Hatoyama, more agricultural products from Shandong province of China will further enrich the dining tables of the Japanese people.

Japan is the largest export market for agricultural products from Shandong province of China. At a promotional event in Tokyo on April 18, Hatoyama expressed his fondness for Shandong, which has many industrial products, agricultural products, and seafood.

Representatives of Shandong are inviting people from around the world, including Japan, to explore traditional culture, enjoy the magnificent scenery, and experience diverse folk customs.

Bai Yugang, head of the publicity department of the CPC Shandong Provincial Committee, said Shandong has extensive exchanges with Japan, with close cooperation in various fields such as economy, education, environmental protection, culture, tourism, sports, and talent development. He proposed several initiatives for deepening future exchange and cooperation:

First, further strengthen economic cooperation by utilizing various mechanisms, encouraging interested businesses to invest in each other's territories.