President Hu meets Japanese PM on bilateral relations, Korean Peninsula situation (2)

He said China is ready to work with Japan to hold high the banner of China-Japan friendship by earnestly planning and preparing for the activities marking the 40th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral relations next year.

Hu said China and Japan, in the spirit of using history as a mirror and facing the future, should improve political mutual trust and expand exchanges and cooperation according to the principles of the four political documents and important consensus reached between the two countries.

Noda said China's development is an opportunity for both Japan and the entire world.

He said the relationship between the two countries has witnessed fast development since Japan and China normalized bilateral links. Trade volume and personnel exchanges between the two countries have grown sharply.

Noda expressed the wish that both sides seize the opportunity of the 40th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral ties to promote high-level exchanges and beef up cooperation on economy, trade, environment, finance and tourism.

The two leaders also discussed the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi was present at the meeting.

Noda arrived in Beijing on Sunday afternoon for a two-day official visit to China.

During his visit, Noda also met with top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo and held talks with Premier Wen Jiabao.