On February 21 of 2008, Vice Minister SHANG Yong received a visiting delegation of Japanese senators headed byMr. Iwao Matsuda, member of the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party and formerMinister of State for Science and Technology Policyof Japan. The two sides exchanged views on promoting the bilateral S&T cooperation in both the governmental and non-governmental sectors.

Senator Iwao Matsuda hoped that the two countries would stimulate the cooperation and exchanges between young professionals working in the S&T fields by hosting related activities in the China-Japan Year of Friendship among the Youth.Vice Minister SHANG agreed that this was very important for the growth of bilateral relations, and China would consider sending delegations of young scientists to visit Japan.