|
TOKYO, July 6-- "When I wrote the letter, I didn't expect to receive a reply from President Xi Jinping. I was surprised and honored," said Daichi Nakashima with excitement. The 27-year-old Japanese man said he had received the reply from Xi before the Chinese leader attended the Group of 20 summit in Osaka. "When my friend told me on WeChat, I was shocked!" Nakashima said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua. Nakashima had several times been a winner in the Panda Cup Japan Youth Essay Contest. Founded in 2017, the competition is co-sponsored by People's China magazine, the Chinese embassy in Japan and the Japan Science Society, aiming to help Japanese youths have a more comprehensive, objective and rational understanding of China. Nakashima began learning Chinese in college and has participated in several short-term exchange programs in China. When talking about his original intention of writing a letter to Xi, Nakashima said, "I wanted to convey the warmth and friendship of the Chinese people I felt during my visit to China and the importance of mutual understanding and exchanges between Japanese and Chinese youths." Xi, in his reply, said he was glad to see that Nakashima has been studying the Chinese language and literature for a long time and, by participating in essay contests and exchange activities in China, has learned more about China and strengthened his bonds with Chinese friends. "It's the best affirmation and recognition of my persistence for so many years. I'm very touched," Nakashima said. | 
