Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping on Thursday called for more efforts to boost Sino-Japanese exchanges and cooperation among local governments and sister cities.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with visiting Japan's Nagasaki Prefecture Governor Nakamura Houdou and Chairman of the Prefectural Assembly Sueyoshi Mitsunori.

Praising the fruitful exchanges between Nagasaki and Chinese provinces, Xi said local government cooperation was an important part of Sino-Japanese relations.

"The exchanges among sister cities of China and Japan, which have a long history and range over diversified areas, have become a main channel for bilateral local cooperation," said the vice president.

He hoped friends of Nagasaki would continue to beef up friendly exchanges with local Chinese regions, so as to help promote friendship between the two peoples.

Nakamura Houdou said there were many opportunities and potential for Nagasaki to set-up partnerships with China. He called for joint efforts from both sides to expand cooperation.

The Japanese delegation is visiting China at the invitation of the China-Japan Friendship Association.