Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori and visiting Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji agreed Friday to build a new relationship in the coming century through enhanced economic cooperation and by steadily resolving bilateral disputes, such as Chinese marine research activities within Japan's economic waters.

In a morning meeting at the Prime Minister's Official Residence, the two leaders agreed to deepen bilateral ties based on a joint declaration adopted in 1998 when Chinese President Jiang Zemin visited Japan, and accelerate cooperation in 33 areas agreed upon during that visit, according to a Japanese official who briefed the press.

As an indication of the progress made to date, Mori and Zhu hailed the introduction on Tuesday of a hotline between the two leaders.