It took a delegation from Tsukuba City of Japan, a friendship city of Shenzhen, a whole day to visit three halls of the China (Shenzhen) International Culture Industry Fair (ICIF), which showed a variety of cultural products from around China.

"If you want to finish the whole exhibition areas of the Shenzhen International Convention and Exhibition Center and gain a rough understanding of China's culture, you need at least three days visiting the booths," Takao Kuboya, chairman of Tsukuba City Council, said Thursday evening.

Kuboya said he was tired but excited about the trip.

"Every booth is attractive and we also make contribution to the city's industrial fair," he said.

Kuboya and other members of the delegation purchased traditional Chinese handicrafts, such as jade, paper cuts and silk fans, for friends and family back in Japan.

"The products, either in craft skills or material, are of good quality and easily trigger Japanese desire to purchase," said Kuboya, adding that paper cuts are rarely available in Japan.

Tsukuba was one of the first cities to establish friendship-city ties with Shenzhen. As early as in 1990, the governments of two cities began working together, and in 2003 Kuboya headed a delegation comprising common residents to Shenzhen, who introduced elements of Japanese culture, such as Japanese dance, calligraphy, and ikebana to residents of Meilinyicun housing estate.

"The exchanges of the two cities are mainly in trade and business fields, but after this fair, I will introduce more about China's culture industries to the public, and organize delegations for next year's fair," said Kuboya.

It was his second visit to Shenzhen. "Shenzhen's development is much faster than expected," said Kuboya, hoping to organize a "Tsukuba City Exhibition" to introduce his city to Shenzhen residents when the time is ripe.

Editor: Yan