Japan, China agree on friendship years

TOKYO, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- Japan and China agreed to designate 2006 and 2007 as special friendship years and set up the next round of talks on China's gas project in the East China Sea.

Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Tsuneo Nishida and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei reached the agreements during their talks in Tokyo, the Japan Today Web site reported Thursday.

Nishida told Wu that Japan and China should map out a long-term strategy to improve their ties prior to the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.