XI'AN, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- Former Japanese Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama attended an activity held in the western Chinese city of Xi'an Sunday, in memory of the Japanese envoys dispatched to China more than 1,400 years ago.

A 400-member tour, headed by Tomiichi Murayama, visited the city where the Japanese envoys came during the Sui Dynasty (581-618).

Tomiichi Murayama reviewed the history of the two country's friendly exchanges and paid homage to those envoys who "went through great hardships and made it to the Chinese city."

"It is them who ushered in an era of Sino-Japanese cultural exchanges," said Tomiichi Murayama.

"The Japanese culture and Chinese culture are closely related. I think only by enhancing exchanges and cooperation can the two countries make progress together," he said.

Japan sent the first envoys to China in the year 607 and then altogether dispatched 18 batches in the following two centuries. The move is regarded by historians as a great contribution to the friendship of the two peoples.