China and Japan, which sent their top officials for a high-level dialogue, aim for a leap in bilateral relations next year.

Their efforts at reconciliation between the two countries this year have fared well.

The first meeting of the economic dialogue, which started in Beijing on Saturday, is expected to consolidate the economic cooperation between China and Japan. This is a major part of the Sino-Japanese strategic, mutually beneficial relationship.

The dialogue has been designed to plan and promote Sino-Japanese cooperation in key areas such as energy, environmental protection, finance, telecommunications and intellectual property rights protection. China and Japan are indispensable trading partners for each other.

Showing the weight they attach to the dialogue, China and Japan assigned Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan and Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Momura to co-chair the meeting.

The face-to-face talks between the senior officials of the two countries are far more than symbolic. They help raise economic cooperation to a higher level. Sino-Japanese trade, which has grown rapidly, has expanded into more areas such as service, investment and technological cooperation. The trade benefits both.

China and Japan outlined energy and environmental protection as the focal points of their cooperation on Saturday. They are committed to developing their trade for win-win cooperation.

The dialogue is expected to serve as a venue where the two countries can express their opinions on problems in their economic relations. Japan has not recognized China as a market economy and listed some Chinese firms for export controls.

The two countries have conducted their dialogue from a global perspective, as their economies are important to the all-round development of their bilateral relations and the world at large.

China and Japan had grand observations for the 35th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties. The two countries have kept in touch on regional and international issues.

China and Japan have worked hard this year to pave the way for new developments next year, and the years ahead.

(China Daily December 3, 2007)