Minister-level talks on energy and a preliminary meeting on economic matters got under way Thursday as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao enjoyed the fruit of their efforts to improve a relationship described as "mutually beneficial based on common strategic interests."
But little about the future goals and agenda for the two talks was decided.
During the economic dialogue, Foreign Minister Taro Aso proposed that trade and investment, macroeconomic, multilateral cooperation and other issues be put on the agenda for high-level meetings set to start by year's end in Beijing. Aso will cochair the talks with Chinese Vice Premier Zhen Peiyan.