China and Japan are set to discuss cooperation in areas ranging from finance and macroeconomic policy to energy and environment protection during high-level talks in Beijing on Saturday.

The economic dialogue was initiated by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda when they met for the first time in Singapore earlier this month. The talks will bring together ministers from both sides with portfolios covering trade, investment, environment protection and product inspection and quarantine.

Lu Kejian, director of the commerce ministry's Department of Asian Affairs, said: "China and Japan enjoy broad cooperation opportunities in this sector as China highlights energy saving and environment protection to build an energy-saving and environment-friendly society, while Japan is of abundant experience and technology".

The two sides will also look at how to implement the consensus reached in energy and environment protection as well as how to cope with climate change.

Meanwhile, Chinese and Japanese officials are expected to discuss macroeconomic policies such as macro control and domestic demand.

In trade and investment, China expects to promote bilateral cooperation in hi-tech sectors and among small- and medium-sized enterprises.

Lu said: "There are also some issues to address." For example, China expects Japan to elevate it to market economy status and to remove restrictions on certain exports to China.

Imports and exports between China and Japan hit $191.9 billion in the first 10 months this year, up 14 percent from a year earlier. Japan is the third largest trade partner of China while China is Japan's biggest.

(China Daily November 28, 2007)