Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao(R) meets with visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura in Beijing Dec. 2, 2007. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Dec. 3 -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met Japan's Foreign Minister on Sunday, saying trade and economic talks to strengthen ties between China and Japan have so far been successful.

    Chinese Premier Wen Jia Bao met with Japan's Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura as part of weekend discussions, which bring together the largest number of officials from the two countries since they opened diplomatic ties 35 years ago.

    Wen Jia Bao says trade and economic talks aimed at strengthening ties between the two neighbors have been successful so far. He adds that bilateral relations have taken another step forward, especially in trade and commerce.

    For his part, Komura says there were "meaningful discussions" on Saturday, when the talks began. And he believes the two nations can cooperate in coming up with an appropriate joint statement for both the Chinese people and the Japanese people.

    So far, two modest agreements have been struck. One is a 420 million U.S. dollars Japanese loan to China to fund 6 environmental projects. And the other is a treaty to allow the countries' police and prosecutors to work directly on criminal extraditions.

    But no breakthroughs have been reported on the East China Sea gas field issue.

    At Saturday's meetings, the two sides agreed to more exchanges between militaries and defense officials. They also tried to settle dates for an upcoming visit to China by Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, and a reciprocal trip to Japan by Chinese President Hu Jintao. It's possible that the Chinese president may visit Japan during the cherry blossom season in April.

    (Source: cctv.com)