President Hu Jintao met visiting Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda in Beijing on Monday and the two sides agreed to advance mutually beneficial relations of strategic significance.

Their meeting was the second since Noda was elected Japan's new prime minister in late August. Hu said he was glad to meet with Noda twice within such a short period of time.

Noda's visit is of great significance as the two countries are preparing for the 40th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral diplomatic relations, Hu said.

He said he believed that this visit would further deepen the mutually beneficial relations of strategic significance between the two countries, and he would exchange views with Noda on bilateral relations and issues of common concern.

Reviewing his meeting with President Hu during the summit of the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation in November, Noda said China's development is an opportunity not only for Japan, but for the international community as well. Promoting Japan-China strategic and mutually beneficial relationship is necessary for solving regional and international issues.

Noda held talks with Premier Wen Jiabao on Sunday, in which the two sides "reached wide consensus on bilateral relations," the prime minister said.

Noda also met with top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo on Monday morning. He is scheduled to wrap up his two-day official China visit at noon Monday.

(Xinhua News Agency December 26, 2011)