TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Tuesday he hoped that Japan can build strategic mutual beneficial relations with China on the basis of Japan-China friendship.

Abe made the remarks when meeting with Yotaro Kobayashi, chairman of New Japan-China Friendship Committee for the 21st Century on the Japanese side. Kobayashi is scheduled to attend a committee meeting in Qingdao, in east China's Shandong province on Thursday.

The premier also said to Kobayashi that he hoped both sides of the committee can actively discuss issues related to long-term cooperation and make some breakthroughs.

New Japan-China Friendship Committee for the 21st Century was established under the agreement between leaders of both countries with a goal that intellectuals of both sides will study the relations from a broad perspective including politics, economy, culture, science and technology, and will make a proposal and report to the governments of both countries. The committee has held four meetings since its birth in July 2003.