Beijing, Tokyo vow closer ties

BEIJING The 12th China-Japan Strategic Dialogue was held in Beijing on Friday, with both countries vowing to enhance strategic mutual trust and bilateral ties.

Chinese Vice-Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun and Japanese Vice-Foreign Minister Kenichiro Sasae attended the dialogue as chief delegates. Both countries agreed to make detailed preparations for Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda's visit to China.

Tokyo is making final arrangements for Noda's first official visit to Beijing in mid-December, according to Kyodo News Agency. Noda first came to China in 1984 as a member of the 3,000-strong Japanese youth delegation invited to visit the country.