China and Japan started their 10th strategic dialogue at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Wednesday.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Guangya and Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka co-chaired the dialogue. Saiki Akitaka, Japanese envoy for six-party talks, is also present at the talks.

"Under joint efforts, China and Japan have seen new progress on cooperation in various fields in the first half of this year," Wang said in the opening remarks.

"I would like to use this opportunity to exchange views with Mr. Mitoji to push forward China-Japan strategic and mutually beneficial relations," Wang said.

Mitoji said the talks are very important "under current circumstances".

Officials from the two countries were expected to exchange views in depth on bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of common concern, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry.

The last round of the China-Japan Strategic Dialogue was held on January 9 in Tokyo this year.

(Xinhua News Agency June 24, 2009)