Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Saturday urged China and Japan to develop a "global vision" while shaping their bilateral ties.

Wen made the remarks while meeting with members of the Fifth 21st Century Committee for China-Japan Friendship.

The committee, an advisory panel to both governments, will convene for a three-day meeting in Beijing and Central China's Hunan province to discuss China-Japan relations and provide suggestions to the two countries.

Wen urged the committee members to "take a global vision" together, "to exchange opinions frankly, seek consensus and make more valuable suggestions to the two governments, and to put new impetus into improving strategic ties between the two countries".

Ties between the two Asian neighbors have improved in recent years, but the relationship is sometimes affected by lingering problems including territorial disputes, and the bitter legacy of the Japanese troops' cruelty towards Chinese citizens during World War II.

China, after decades of rapid development, overtook Japan last year as the world's second-largest economy.

Some Japanese politicians in recent years have said that China's rapid development poses a threat to Asian countries. But Beijing has repeatedly assured its neighbors and refuted the notion of any "China threat".

Analysts said the global vision described by Wen invites cooperation on a broad platform instead of overemphasizing competition within the Asian region.

Next year marks the 40th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties, and Wen has urged both countries to seize the opportunity to strengthen cooperation, enhance mutual understanding and trust, enlarge their common interests and deepen the friendship between their people.

He urged scholars and experts - especially the committee - to play an important role in enhancing the mutual understanding and friendship.

The committee is co-chaired by Tang Jiaxuan, a former China State councilor, and Taizo Nishimuro, former Tokyo Stock Exchange president.

A flurry of other diplomatic visits has been arranged in recent months by both China and Japan.