After a busy day of meetings in Beijing on Friday, visiting Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda opted for a lighter start to the day Saturday, taking on his Chinese counterpart Premier Wen Jiabao in a friendly game of baseball.
Earlier, the leaders attended a breakfast gathering hosted by the China-Japan Friendship Association.
Wen Jiabao took advantage of the occasion to reiterate "the three crucial basic points" for the healthy friendship between the two countries.
"First, we should unswervingly adhere to the principles of the three political documents signed upon the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Secondly, the genuine basis for a sound relation lies in the people of the two nations; and thirdly, our future is in the hands of our younger generations."
Fukuda said he hoped to take this opportunity to further consolidate bilateral ties.
"Next year marks the 30th anniversary of a Sino-Japanese friendship and peace treaty and Chinese President Hu Jintao will also visit Japan in the spring. Next year will be a crucial year for building up Sino-Japanese strategic reciprocal relations. I hope 2008 will be written in history as a year that witnesses great development of mutual relations."
The China tour is Fukuda's third overseas trip since taking office three months ago. He previously visited the United States and Singapore.
