Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed the sound momentum of China-Japan relations on Monday, calling on the two sides to reach a strategic consensus and develop bilateral relations with a global vision.

Xi made the remarks during a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

He said there are significant opportunities for the development of bilateral ties and China is ready to maintain close communication with Japan, strengthen political guidance and push relations to a new level to better benefit the people of the two countries.

As a result of an ever-changing international situation, Xi said the two sides need to develop their relations based on the principle of mutual respect and mutual benefit. He expressed the hope that the two nations would seek common ground while putting aside differences and working jointly to develop their relations in a new era.

He called on China and Japan to stay committed to the four political documents they have signed and urged them to properly handle major sensitive issues as the political foundation is laid for the relationship.

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He expects the two countries to view each other as partners rather than threats and work in concert and in the same direction.

The two sides should enhance mutual trust on security and take on more responsibilities to defend multilateralism and free trade so as to contribute more to the open world economy, said the president.

Both sides also agreed to advance third-party market cooperation and expand pragmatic cooperation in cultural, tourism, trade and investment areas.

Abe echoed Xi's remarks by noting that the development of the bilateral relations is of great importance to regional and global peace, stability and prosperity.

Noting that Xi is expected to pay a state visit to Japan in the spring, the Japanese leader  said that his country is willing to enhance communication with China and will work actively to advance China-Japan relations in the new era.

Before meeting with Abe, Xi also met Republic of Korea (ROK) President Moon Jae-in. Leaders of Japan and the ROK are expected to attend the 8th China-Japan-ROK leaders' meeting to be held in China's southwestern city of Chengdu on Tuesday.