Chinese President Hu Jintao held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso on ties between the two Asian neighbors and the world financial crisis on Saturday.

Hu said this has been a very important year in the development of the Sino-Japanese relations.

"I went to Japan twice and Japanese prime ministers visited China twice. The two sides signed the fourth political document," said the Chinese president at the meeting held on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in the Peruvian capital of Lima.

"Both of us joined the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Peace and Friendship Treaty, and leaders of China, Japan, and South Korea are also scheduled to meet in Japan in mid-December," Hu said.

The frequent exchange of visits and communications has given a strong impetus to the development of the Sino-Japanese relations, he said.

Hu said the Sino-Japanese relationship has embarked on a new historical starting point and embraces important opportunities for further development.

China is ready to work together with Japan to push forward the sound and stable growth of their strategic and mutually beneficial relations.

For his part, Aso expressed the wish that leaders of the two countries will continue to maintain their frequent visits and contacts.

The two leaders also exchanged views on ways to deal with the international financial crisis.

Aso expressed appreciation of China's latest 10 major policy measures aimed to boost domestic demand and stimulate economic growth.

Aso said these are the right approach amid U.S. and European economic slowdown and have been well received by the international community.

He also briefed Chinese President Hu on Japan's views on international financial and monetary architecture.

Hu said that the governments of world countries should strengthen cooperation and actively implement the consensus reached at the G20 summit in Washington and push for reforms of the international financial and monetary system.

Amid the spreading international financial crisis, China and Japan, as two big world economies, should enhance exchange of information and play an active part in safeguarding financial stability and economic growth of Asia and the world at large.

(Xinhua News Agency November 23, 2008)