China-Japan cooperation may well set a good example for countries with different social systems, said Wang Chen, director of the State Council Information Office of China, at the Fourth Beijing-Tokyo Forum on Tuesday.

In a keynote speech at the plenary meeting, Wang said that there are important bases and favorable environments for the long-term development of bilateral friendly relations.

For China-Japan friendship, geographical proximity is the natural link, political mutual trust serves as an important basis,mutually beneficial cooperation the economic basis and long-term people-to-people exchanges the important bridge, said Wang.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the launch of China's reform and opening-up, he said, adding that China has made world-acknowledged outstanding achievements in its development in the past 30 years.

Wang said that China's development, characterized by its peace,openness, cooperation and harmony, offers a brighter prospect for the development of both nations.

The current world is undergoing profound changes, he said. And China is willing to work with Japan to actively participate in international cooperation in various areas, jointly promote world peace and achieve common development of the human race.

The two sides need to deepen mutual understanding in a bid to continuously promote the sound development of bilateral ties, said Wang, expressing his belief that with goodwill as well as cooperative attitude aimed at win-win results and sincerity for frank exchanges of views, the friendly relations between the two nations are sure to be continuously cemented.

Prior to Wang's speech at the meeting, Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura and Chinese Ambassador to Japan Cui Tiankai, on behalf of their respective governments, advocated joint efforts to push forward the Japan-China relations and conveyed good wishes for their further advance.

The Four Beijing-Tokyo Forum opened with a dinner party late Monday. In their speeches at the party, Hiroya Masuda, Japanese Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications, and Wang Chen lauded the role the forum has played in the development of bilateral ties and wished it a success.

Present at the three-day forum are more than 100 personages from various circles of both countries.

Later Tuesday the forum will have group discussions in terms oftheir respective subjects.

The annual forum, co-sponsored by China Daily and the non-profit Japanese organization Genron NPO, is held alternately in Beijing and Tokyo. The first Tokyo-Beijing Form took place in Beijing in August 2005.

(Xinhua News Agency September 16, 2008)