Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Monday joined a group of well-known figures in Chinese and Japanese cultural circles to discuss ways to further boost cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Culture serves as a bridge to link the hearts of different peoples and different countries, Wen said.

He noted that China and Japan share a history of friendly exchanges of 2,000 years, and have formed inseparable cultural ties, which constitute unique wealth in their bilateral relations.

The Chinese premier said that cultural exchanges have played a crucial role in normalizing and further developing China-Japan relations, adding that cultural exchanges between the two countries are noted for their extensive scope and rich substance.

"One of the objectives of my Japan trip is to boost cultural exchanges between the two countries and enhance friendship between the two peoples," Wen said.

The Chinese government highly values China's cultural exchanges with Japan from a strategic perspective, and works vigorously to boost such exchanges, Wen said, adding that China welcomes more and better Japanese cultural products in its market.

Premier Wen said China also wishes to introduce to Japan more Chinese cultural products of outstanding quality, and would facilitate personnel exchanges between the two countries.