Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama Friday on improvement of bilateral ties under the new government of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ).

Yang said the leaders of the two countries have met under several circumstances to reach important consensus on deepening China-Japan strategic mutually beneficial relations. The political mutual trust has been improved and communication in all areas is progressing. China will seize the current opportunities to further bilateral cooperation and high-level visits, expand cooperation in Asian and international affairs.

Yang also expressed that China is willing to facilitate the building of China-Japan-South Korea Free Trade Zone and an East Asia community. "It's a common goal of countries in the region, including China and Japan to build the East Asia Community. We should work together to improve peace, development and prosperity of Asia," he said.

Hatoyama said he had many chances to meet Chinese leaders Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao since he became the prime minister in September and believed the frequent meetings are important to the development of bilateral ties. "I hope we can keep the momentum and I am looking forward to participating in the Shanghai Expo next year."

"I want to build win-win relationships based on a spirit of fraternity and expand them from between Japan and China to the Asian region and the world," Hatoyama said. "Doing so, I believe, will lead to the building of an East Asian community."

Yang also met with DPJ Secretary General Ichiro Ozawa and chiefs of other Japanese political parties on Thursday.

Chinese Ambassador to Japan Cui Tiankai was present during the meetings.

Yang started his four-day visit to Japan from Thursday. It is the first visit of Yang since Japan saw a change of government in September.