BEIJING-- China's top diplomat said Tuesday that the nation is willing to work together with Japan's new cabinet to boost bilateral ties.

"The Chinese government attaches great importance to China-Japan relations and pursues friendly policies with Japan," said Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo as he met with Takeshi Noda, visiting chairman of the Japan-China Society.

"We are willing to work together with the new Japanese cabinet as well as persons from all fields in Japan to enhance dialogue, exchange and cooperation and to further advance strategic and mutually beneficial China-Japan relations in a healthy and steady way based on the principles of the four political documents between the two countries," he said.

Dai's remarks came two weeks after Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's telephone conversation with his new Japanese counterpart Yoshihiko Noda to discuss bilateral relations.

During the one-hour meeting with Takeshi Noda, Dai also hailed the active role that the Japan-China Society has played in improving ties between the two countries.

Takeshi Noda said that 2012 will mark the 40th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-China diplomatic relations and the Society is ready to take the opportunity to push ahead with exchanges and cooperation so as to further improve the relationship between the two countries.