Officials from China and Japan cut the ribbon at the launch ceremony of the culture and tourism promotional event in Shizuoka, Japan on Nov 17. [Photo/hangzhou2022.cn]

East China's Zhejiang province held a cultural and tourism promotional event in the Shizuoka City of Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan on Nov 17, local media outlets reported.

The event marked the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan and the 40th anniversary of friendly ties between Zhejiang and Shizuoka and heralded the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022.

Lianlian, Chenchen and Congcong, mascots of the Hangzhou Asian Games representing three local historical sites inscribed on the World Heritage list, made their first trip overseas. They exchanged gifts with the renowned Japanese animation character Chibi Maruko and Shizuoka's mascot Fujippi to commemorate their 40-year friendship.

Chinese and Japanese representatives praised relations between the two countries for years and hope that the two sides can forge closer ties in the future.

A photo exhibition was rolled out at the event focusing on three themes: Zhejiang's historic and cultural elements, picturesque natural landscapes, and the much-anticipated Asian Games. The mascots of the Games will also go on tours around Shizuoka in the following days.