Visiting Chinese deputy chief of the general staff of the People's Liberation Army Ma Xiaotian held talks with Kimito Nakae, Japan's administrative vice minister of defense, on Tuesday for the 9th bilateral vice ministerial defense dialogue.

Ma said Japan and China are close neighbors. Friendship and cooperation conform to the core interests of both nations and will benefit regional peace, stability and prosperity. Both countries should make solid efforts to maintain friendship, improve people's feelings towards each other nation, handle the sensitive problems properly and strengthen the strategic mutually beneficial bilateral relations.

Nakae said Japan attached importance to the strategic mutually beneficial bilateral relations with China, and paid great attention to China's development and changes. Japan is ready to work with Chinese military to establish better understanding and mutual trust, so as to contribute to regional peace and stability.

The two sides agreed on the early establishment of a maritime liaison system in the East China Sea, and strengthen communication and cooperation of the defense departments in many other bilateral and multilateral issues.

Ma arrived in Tokyo on Monday. He met with Japanese Defense Minister Toshimi Kitazawa, who is considering visiting China in late August.