Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Monday called for increased cooperation with Japan to seize opportunities and cope with challenges.

Wen made the remarks in a congratulatory letter for a meeting marking the 30th anniversary of the China-Japan Forum on Exchange of Economic Knowledge.

As major world economies, China and Japan are important trade partners, Wen said, noting that East Asia's economic growth caught the world's attention during the international financial crisis.

Wen applauded the forum's role in proposing policy for promoting China-Japan economic dialogue and cooperation.

Over the past 30 years, meetings were held annually and members from both nations exchanged views on the world economy and major issues concerning the two countries' development and reform.

The premier expressed hope the forum will continue to discuss ways to expand economic and trade cooperation to contribute to the development of mutually beneficial strategic relations.

Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama also sent a congratulatory letter to the forum. He spoke highly of the forum's efforts and expressed hope it will continue to play a constructive role in the strengthening of bilateral ties.

Proposed by Deng Xiaoping, the forum was initiated by then Vice Premier Gu Mu and former Japanese Foreign Minister Saburo Okita in 1981 as a regular mechanism for China-Japan dialogue.

The many valuable views and policy proposals emanating from the forum have contributed to the development of China-Japan friendship and economic cooperation.