TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Wednesday that he hopes Japan and China could develop mutually beneficial strategic relations.

Abe made the remarks at his official residence when talking about Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's upcoming visit to Japan.

Focusing on the future for energy and environment protection, Abe said Japan and China may be able to cooperate in various fields.

Wen will begin his three-day visit to Japan on April 11. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang described the visit as significant for pushing forward the continued improvement and development of Chinese-Japanese relations.

"China hopes the visit would establish the content of the mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests, improve the trade cooperation mechanism, educational and cultural exchanges, as well as the youth contact in the long run," Qin said at a regular press conference.