Japan and China will begin high-level consultations in Beijing over the East Asian economic situation next Monday, Foreign Ministry officials said Wednesday.

Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura and his Chinese counterpart, Tang Jiaxuan, agreed last month to establish a consultation body for this purpose. Deputy Foreign Minister Koichi Haraguchi and other high-ranking officials from ministries such as the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and the Finance Ministry, will attend the talks.

The two sides will also exchange views on each country's economic situation as well as bilateral economic relations, the officials said.