The Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing in September 2002 was the setting for a grand show featuring the cream of Chinese and Japanese performing arts. Japanese Noh artist Sakai Shinoge performed with Chinese Peking Opera actor Mei Baojiu and Kunqu Opera artist Cai Yaoxian. Many cultural exchange activities were held in China in 2002 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the normalization of the Sino-Japanese relationship. For example, also in September, some 700 prominent Chinese and Japanese women gathered at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to celebrate Sino-Japanese ties. Among those attending were Takako Doi, member of the House of Representatives of Japan and leader of the Japanese Social Democratic Party; Miki Mutsuko, widow of former Japanese Prime Minister Miki Takeo and president of the Asian Women's Friendship Association; Tenkoko Sonoda, widow of former Foreign Minister Nao Sonoda and president of the Japan-China Peace and Friendship Liaison Association; and Peng Peiyun, vice-chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and president of the All-China Women's Federation.
