TOKYO (AP) - Economic ministers from Japan and China held talks Sunday on projects related to trade, energy and assistance to developing nations.

The two Asian economic powers were to discuss ways to boost trade and investment while seeking cooperation on climate change, energy and technology through a variety of joint projects, a Japanese Foreign Ministry official said on condition of anonymity, citing department rules.

The two sides were expected to reach an agreement on the joint development of infrastructure projects in Africa and other developing countries.

Economy Minister Toshihiro Nikai said Japan and China agreed to discuss intellectual property rights - an area of concern for Japanese companies that have found their products, including cars and appliances, illegally copied and sold in China.

Japan is also opposing China’s planned introduction of a new system requiring foreign companies to disclose information on technology-related products.

Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone and Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan will also hold separate talks on North Korea’s nuclear issue later Sunday.

China and four other veto-wielding U.N. Security Council nations, along with Japan and South Korea, are finalizing closed-door negotiations about sanctions over North Korea’s nuclear test last month.

Japan and the U.S. are proposing punishing the North with harsh sanctions, with Washington threatening its own financial sanctions.