Marking the 35th anniversary since the normalization of Sino-Japanese ties, China and Japan jointly launched a "year of cultural and sports exchanges". The event will feature around a hundred separate activities revolving around themes ranging from arts, sports, tourism, film and TV as well as youth exchanges.

Activities in China kicked off on March 13 in Beijing with a concert gathering Chinese and Japanese pop music stars. Others will include hosting a Japanese film festival and a nationwide tour of Japanese bands and drama troupes. The highlight will happen at the Ninth Asia Arts Festival where Japan will be the guest of honor.

Activities across the ocean in Japan will start in Tokyo by mid-April with a range of exquisite antiques going on display in a show focusing on China's intangible cultural heritage. Other highlights will include the "Beijing Cultural Week" held in Yokohama, the visit of China's best table-tennis players and the tour around Japan of a Chinese martial arts troupe.

The logo of the activities symbolizes the unity embodied in the exchanges as it depicts the letters "C" and "J" intertwined into a heart shape, topping the slogan "expectation of heart, a new future."

The "year of cultural and sports exchanges" was decided between Chinese and Japanese leaders during Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to China last October and will make a strong contribution to renewed spirit of friendship between the two peoples.