Li Changchun(R),member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China,meets with Japanese tea master Genshitsu Sen,the 15th Grand Master of Japan's Urasenke Chado,or the way of tea,in Beijing,capital of China a,March 18,2010.(Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

Senior Chinese leader Li Changchun on Thursday met with Japanese tea master Genshitsu Sen.

Li, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, appreciated Sen's commitment to developing China-Japan friendship, particularly in tea-related cultural exchanges.

Sen, the 15th Grand Master of Japan's Urasenke Chado, or the way of tea, had made more than a hundred visits to China since his first trip to Beijing in the late 1970s.

Li said he hoped the Urasenke Chado would make continuous efforts to boost bilateral friendship through tea-related cultural exchanges.

Sen said the Urasenke Chado would like to increase exchanges with Chinese and contribute to the bilateral relationship.

Sen was visiting Beijing at the invitation of China's Ministry of Culture.

The Urasenke Chado will present tea-making performances at the Japanese pavilion at the upcoming World Expo in Shanghai.