Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with Japanese counterpart Katsuya Okada Thursday evening to discuss bilateral ties as well as international and regional issues of common concern.

Yang said after the new government was formed after the August 30 general election of Japan, leaders of the two countries have met under many circumstances to reach important consensus on strengthening strategic mutual beneficial relations. The bilateral ties are embracing fresh opportunities of development and a main purpose of his visit is to discuss with the Japanese side how to further improve the relations.

Yang said the two countries should maintain high-level mutual visits and economic dialogues to deepen cooperation. On issues where divergences still remain, the two countries should seek solutions on the basis of dialogue and consultation.

Yang also suggested Japan and China should work to ensure the peace and stability of East Asia, which includes measures to bring Democratic People's Republic of Korea back to six-party talks and denuclearize the Korean Peninsula. They also discussed issues such as climate change.

Okada also believed Japan and China should increase communication in all areas to enhance the mutually beneficial bilateral ties.

Yang also met with Speaker of the House of Representatives Takahiro Yokomichi and President of the House of Councillors Satsuki Eda on Thursday.

Yang told the Speakers of Lower and Upper Houses that the Shanghai Expo, which is to open next May, is a good channel of friendly communication between China and the rest of the world. China appreciated the assistance provided by the Japanese Diet to the preparation of the Expo and will continue to work with Japan to enhance cultural and personnel communication between the two countries.

The Japanese Speakers of the Diet said China and Japan should not only closely cooperate on bilateral issues, but also work together to settle regional, international and global issues. They emphasized communication between the legislation bodies are important and the Japanese Diet will exert every effort to boost bilateral ties. They also said Japan is actively preparing for the participation of Shanghai Expo and believed the Expo will be a success.

Chinese Ambassador to Japan Cui Tiankai was present during the meetings.

Yang's four-day visit to Japan, which started Thursday, is the first since the country saw a change of government in September.

(Xinhua News Agency November 19, 2009)