BEIJING - Sound economic and business relations will benefit both China and Japan, as well as the global economy, a senior official said Friday.

Ma Jiantang, chief of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), said while addressing a question during a press conference.

Bilateral trade slumped 3.9 percent year on year to $329.45 billion last year, with Japan losing its status as China's fourth-largest trade partner to become its fifth-largest, Ma said.

Ma called for healthy Sino-Japanese trade ties, adding that establishing such relations will require Japan to handle disputes properly.'   Bilateral relations worsened last year due to a territorial dispute over the Diaoyu Islands.

Related:

Japan responsible for plight with China

China monitoring Japan's encroachment on Diaoyu

Public diplomacy the key to closer ties

World expects new starting point on China-Japan ties

Abe should rebuild mutual trust with China