Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso said on Thursday that he hoped both Japanese and Chinese young entrepreneurs could enhance cooperation in jointly tackling the global financial crisis.

"I believe we could learn a lesson from the crisis and build a stronger economy and a management mechanism as well," Aso said when addressing a luncheon meeting of over 100 Chinese and Japanese young entrepreneurs, held by the Japanese Embassy to China and the All China Youth Federation.

Japan and China have great influence on the world economy, he said, asking the two countries to enhance coordination and firmly oppose trade protectionism.

Aso, who is in Beijing for a two-day visit, spoke highly of China's four-trillion-yuan economic stimulus package and introduced measures taken by Japan, especially in boosting the new energy industry.

Asia has the greatest potential of becoming an open economic growth center, Aso said, noting cooperation between Japan and China is the precondition for the development of Asian economy.

He suggested Japan and China push forward the building of a regional cooperation and dialogue framework, including promoting the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization, a regional foreign reserve pool, carrying out large-scale infrastructure construction in Asia and enhancing cooperation among Japan, China and the Republic of Korea.

Lu Hao, first secretary of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Youth League, said that the Chinese and Japanese economies are highly reciprocal and the young entrepreneurs, who have strong vigor and innovation spirit, could share their experience and discuss measures in coping with the financial crisis.

"Japan and China are close neighbors in terms of geography and history, and we chose to establish a strategic and mutual-beneficial relationship, which is the right way for achieving a win-win situation for our two states," Aso said.

Aso called on young entrepreneurs from the two countries to hold candid dialogues and contribute to the future of the two states and the world at large.

(Xinhua News Agency April 30, 2009)