Wang Chen, minister of the State Council Information Office, makes a speech at the Beijing-Tokyo Forum in Beijing on Sunday. [Photo/China Daily]

Wang Chen, minister of the State Council Information Office, said China and Japan should deepen exchanges as China’s growth can provide historical opportunities to its neighbor.

Wang made the statement at the Beijing-Tokyo Forum in Beijing, organized by China Daily and Japan's Genron NPO.

"A long-term, healthy and stable China-Japan tie fits the fundamental interests of people from both countries, and can contribute to peace and development in Asia and the world,” said Wang.

China's economy has achieved great development after 30 years of opening up and reform, but it is still the largest developing country in the world, partly because it is difficult to eradicate unbalanced development, such as between the east coastal area and inland, in the short term.

China will adhere to the road of peaceful development, the only way for China's modernization, and China's growth can provide historical opportunities to Japan too, said Wang.

Wang urged both countries to deepen cooperation in areas such as environmental protection and green economy, and enhance exchanges between youths from both countries.