BEIJING, May 4 (Xinhua) -- China and Japan "contacted" and exchanged views on the East China Sea issue in Beijing on Tuesday, said a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

"The two sides exchanged views on relevant issues, considered the contact beneficial and agreed to continue to maintain contacts and make joint efforts," said the statement.

This was the first director general-level, or bureau chief-level, contact since the two countries reached principled consensus on the East China Sea issue in June 2008.