The Chinese and Japanese governments should enhance political mutual trust and reciprocal cooperation to build long-term and steady good neighborly relationship, said Premier Wen Jiabao in Beijing Wednesday.

The two sides should take into consideration the long-term interests of the two countries and their peoples, and the general situation of safeguarding regional peace and prosperity, said Wen.

Wen made the remarks at a meeting with Yuya Niwa, chairman of the General Council of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, Japan's ruling party.

Wen spoke positively of the improvement momentum of bilateral ties since Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's China visit in October last year.

Wen said this year marks the 35th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral diplomatic ties and it is an important opportunity for the further development of bilateral relations.

His scheduled visit to Japan in April this year is aimed at continuing to promote the improvement and development of bilateral relations through joint efforts so as to benefit the two peoples, Wen said.

Niwa said that Wen's April visit is of great importance, adding Japan and neighboring China share responsibility for safeguarding regional peace and stability and promoting common development.

Japan is ready to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation with China in areas such as environmental protection and health care, said Niwa.

(Xinhua News Agency March 1, 2007)