ULAN BATOR, July 15 -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Friday called for properly managing the differences between China and Japan and gradually resuming their dialogue and communication.

Li made the remarks in a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the ongoing 11th Asia-Europe Meeting(ASEM) Summit in Ulan Bator.

"Both sides could resume dialogue and communication step by step in the spirit of equality and mutual respect, to add to the positive facets in bilateral ties," Li told Abe.

Li said China-Japan relations have in recent year embarked on a course of improvement, but the pace is slow and is from time to time disturbed by complications.

He urged both sides to keep a strong sense of responsibility, and steadily push ahead China-Japan ties on the basis of the reality and long-term strategic consideration.

As two of the world's large economies, China and Japan should make the most of their respective advantages and competitiveness to step up economic cooperation, he said.

For his part, Abe said that despite the existing difficulties in the relations between Japan and China, the Japanese side hopes to expand exchanges and cooperation with China.

The two sides should properly manage differences, and push forward bilateral ties in pursuit of a strategic, mutually beneficial relationship, Abe said. 

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Ulan Bator, Mongolia, July 15, 2016. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)