BRUSSELS - Premier Wen Jiabao and his Japanese counterpart Naoto Kan had a conversation on Monday on the sidelines of the 8th Asia-Europe Meeting which is being held in the capital city of Belgium.

Wen reiterated that Diaoyu Islands have been Chinese territory since ancient times.

He pointed out that protection and advancement of the China-Japan strategic relationship of mutual benefit serve the fundamental interests of both countries and their peoples.

The two sides agreed to step up people-to-people exchange as well as communication between the governments, and hold China-Japan high level meeting