Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and his Japanese counterpart Masahiko Komura held talks in Beijing on Saturday morning, and both ministers expressed confidence in further development of China-Japan relations.

According to sources with the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Yang called Komura "an old friend of the Chinese people" and has long been devoted to promoting China-Japan relations.

Yang said he expected to discuss in depth with Komura about China-Japan relations as well as international and regional issues of common concern.

With the concerted efforts of the two sides, the first China-Japan high-level economic dialogue, scheduled for Saturday afternoon in Beijing, would make major achievements, Yang said.

The sources said that Komura agreed with Yang and said he would work with Yang for new contributions to the Japan-China strategic relations of mutual benefits.

Komura, who is on the visit at the invitation of Yang, will lead a Japanese delegation to participate in the first China-Japan high-level economic dialogue, a major event decided by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda during their meeting in Singapore, two months ago.

The dialogue, with the theme of "Cooperation, Win-Win and Coordinated Development", will be a platform to exchange economic development strategies and economic policies.

The event will also be a forum for the discussion of major bilateral economic concerns and a chance to strengthen communications on major regional and international economic issues.

The dialogue will focus on macroeconomic issues, energy conservation and environmental protection, trade and investment, and regional and international cooperation.

(Xinhua News Agency December 1, 2007)