Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso Monday met with representatives of the new 21st Century Committee for China-Japan Friendship on bilateral ties.

As great progress has been made in bilateral relations, Japan and China need to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation in various areas, expand common interests in a bid to promote the strategic and mutually beneficial relations between the two nations, said Aso in talks with representatives of the friendship body at the prime minister's residence.

The Japanese prime minister said that he is looking forward to meeting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at the tripartite summit of China, Japan and South Korea scheduled for Dec. 13 in Fukuoka, Japan.

During the meeting, Zheng Bijian and Yotaro Kobayashi, chief representatives on the Chinese and Japanese sides respectively, submitted the final work report of the committee to the prime minister.

Lauding the positive role the friendship body has played in the past five years, Aso said that the report offers him a series of constructive advice and suggestions, and he is willing to push forward bilateral ties in light of the advice and suggestions the report provides.

Established on March 24, 1984, the 21st Century Committee for China-Japan Friendship is a policy consultation body for both governments.

(Xinhua News Agency December 8, 2008)