Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda said on Friday that he would like to make continued efforts in the future to further develop the relations between Japan and China.

The outgoing prime minister made the remarks during meeting with a Chinese delegation, which is led by Song Jian, president of the Sino-Japanese Friendship Association, at his official residence in the evening.

During the meeting, Fukuda recalled his meetings with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao since taking office a year ago and their consensus on full development of the Japan- China strategic and reciprocal relations.

Fukuda said the bilateral ties significantly improved during his term.

Song highly lauded Fukuda's important contribution in the process of further deepening the bilateral strategic and reciprocal relations.

China would like to work together with the Japanese side to expand friendly communications and properly deal with sensitive issues for the goals of peaceful coexistence, common development and friendship from generation to generation, Song said.

The delegation arrived in Japan Thursday for a six-day visit at the invitation of one of the Japan-China friendship organizations. They are scheduled to attend on Monday a reception celebrating the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Japan and China.

(Xinhua News Agency September 6, 2008)