BEIJING, March 29 -- Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese Foreign Minister, met with Yasuo Fukuda, former Japanese Prime Minister and former chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia, in Beijing on Friday.

Wang expressed appreciation for Fukuda's constant care for and contribution to the development of the Boao Forum for Asia.

He expressed the hope that Japan will earnestly and properly deal with issues hindering the normal development of bilateral relations, such as the release of contaminated water from Fukushima into the sea, stick to the direction of peaceful development, and work with China to jointly promote the steady and sound development of bilateral relations.

Fukuda said Japan is willing to work with China to advance the strategic relationship of mutual benefit and jointly maintain the sound momentum of peace, stability and prosperity in Asia.