In the morning of Sep.6, the Tianwaicun Square was full of happiness and singing. The 22^th Taishan International Climbing Festival & Taishan•Fuji Sino-Japanese Friendship Festival started with Chinese and Japanese singers singing the song of Taishan-Fuji friendship in unison at the foot of Taishan Mountain.

Yang Luyu who is the secretary of TaiAn Municipal Commission, addressed the opening ceremony. He said, “The 22^th Taishan International Climbing Festival & Taishan•Fuji Sino-Japanese Friendship Festival is initiated ceremoniously today. I bid all leaders and guests a warm welcome on behalf of TaiAn Municipal Commission of China Communist Party, TaiAn Municipal People’s Government and 5,500,000 civilians in TaiAn! With a long history and splendid culture, TaiAn is a famous city of history and culture in China, a tourist destination well known home and overseas as well as an optimal place for investment and business startup. Taishan Mountain ---- a symbol of great spirit of Chinese nationality ---- is the world heritage of nature and culture and a global geopark. Climbing Taishan mountain is always reckoned as the exhibition of quality and spirit of being unafraid of difficulty or danger and advancing courageously. The annual Taishan International Climbing Festival has evolved into a bridge of deepening friendship, an event of extending cooperation and a platform of promoting development. Activities in four categories (i.e. culture, economic trade, sport and tourism) and seven subjects will be carried through in this Taishan International Climbing Festival & Taishan•Fuji Sino-Japanese Friendship Festival. I believe the friendship and partnership between Taishan and Fuji will be raised to a new level through these colorful activities.”

In his address, Mitsuo Horiuchi said this year was the 30^th anniversary of the conclusion of Japanese-Sino Friendship Treaty; it was without doubt that undertaking such event in this rememberable time will facilitate the development of Japanese-Sino relationship in future and further the mutual understanding and trust between people in both countries; and the reciprocal cooperation between Taishan and Fuji ---- they are spiritual symbols of both countries ---- in various areas will certainly bear fruit.