China and Japan should strengthen cooperation to deal with the financial crisis, said Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo on Friday.

"China is willing to work with Japan to properly handle sensitive issues in bilateral relations and consolidate our political foundations," said Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.

In a meeting with Japanese Defense Minister Hamada Yasukazu, Wu said China-Japan relations were improving and cooperation in various fields have expanded.

Stressing the importance of China and Japan in the Asia-Pacific region, Wu said developing relations conformed to the fundamental interests of both countries and was conducive to world peace, stability and development.

He hoped China and Japan would expand defense and other cooperation to push forward long-term, healthy and stable relations.

Hamada Yasukazu said Japan would like to enhance strategic and mutually reciprocal relations with China.

(Xinhua News Agency March 20, 2009)