Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping on Tuesday stressed the importance of people-to-people diplomacy, urging unremitting efforts on the part of China's non-governmental friendship organizations to enhance understanding between the people of China and the rest of the world.

Xi made the remarks while meeting with participants in the 10th National Council conference of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), a major non-governmental friendship body.

"Folk diplomacy serves as an important part of a country's overall diplomacy. It is a foundation for enhancing friendships and country-to-country relations," Xi said.

He said the Communist Party of China (CPC) and generations of state leaders have attached great importance to folk diplomacy, as it has played a crucial role in promoting China's reform, opening-up and modernization drive.

The vice president urged non-governmental friendship organizations to explore new areas of cooperation and create new working mechanisms in order to make greater diplomatic contributions.

Addressing the conference, State Councilor Dai Bingguo encouraged the CPAFFC to seek out new opportunities for folk diplomacy and offer a favorable environment for China's economic and social development.

The CPAFFC, established in Beijing in 1954, promotes understanding and friendship between Chinese and people in foreign countries. It has established cooperative ties with about 500 non-governmental groups in 157 countries thus far.