Visiting Chinese Premier Li Peng and Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto agreed Tuesday to deepen bilateral relations as this year marks the 25th anniversary of the two countries' resumption of diplomatic ties.
In the meeting, they stressed the importance of Japan and China building a constructive partnership into the 21st century.
Hashimoto and Li agreed to strengthen defense dialogue partly to increase the transparency of the Japan-U.S. defense guidelines, Foreign Ministry officials said. The two leaders agreed on a future visit by China's defense chief, Chi Haotian, to Japan, they said.