Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Wednesday said Sino-Japanese relations are continuously improving and developing.

"This lays an important political foundation for the two sides to jointly cope with the international financial crisis and increase cooperation," Wen said when meeting with a delegation of the Japan Business Federation.

Wen hailed the important contribution of China-Japan economic and trade cooperation in promoting economic growth of the two nations and East Asia at large.

He said the acceleration of economic restructuring, changing development modes, and achieving sustainable development were common issues for China and Japan, and this was a challenge and opportunity as well for economic and trade relations.

Wen hoped the businesses would increase cooperation in energy saving, environmental protection and new energies.

Members of the Japanese delegation said Japan was glad to see the strategic and mutually beneficial direction of bilateral ties.

China's economy first broke away from the impact of the international financial crisis and had maintained rapid growth. This offered favorable conditions for deepening Japan-China economic and trade cooperation, they said.

They hoped to learn more from China's development strategy, and work with China to increase personnel exchanges and strengthen coordination at bilateral and regional levels, in a bid to promote Asian economic integration and world economic recovery.

The federation groups most of Japan's leading companies, industrial associations and regional economic organizations.