A delegation from Japan-China Friendship Association in Aomori-ken, a county in Japan, visited Xiamen, East China's Fujian province from Dec 5 to 7.

The delegation, led by the vice-chairman of the Japan-China Friendship Association in Aomori-ken, consists of 13 members.

Qiu Yongcai, deputy director of Xiamen's Foreign Affairs Office, extended a warm welcome to them and briefed them on Xiamen's basic situations and its exchanges with Japan.

Qiu hoped that the two sides would strengthen mutual understanding and promote more exchanges in the future.

The vice chairman spoke highly of the beautiful natural environment and sound urban management and said that he will actively promote exchanges with Xiamen in the near future.

The Japanese delegation also visited Gulangyu Island, a pedestrian-only island off the coast of Xiamen and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, and earthen buildings in Nanjing, a a county in Zhangzhou city.