Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan met with a delegation from the Union of Kansai Governments headed by Toshizo Ido, governor of Hyogo Prefecture on Wednesday.

Wang hailed the commitment of Kansai to promoting Sino-Japanese friendship and exchanges.

"Communication and cooperation between the two countries' local governments play a positive role in advancing Sino-Japanese strategic and reciprocal relations, as well as deepening understanding and friendship between the two peoples," he said.

China and Japan have a huge potential in tourism cooperation, and the two governments are obliged to create a sound environment for communication and cooperation of the tourism industry between the two sides, Wang added.

The delegation thanked China for its support in Japan's post-disaster reconstruction and expressed their willingness to work for strengthening communication and cooperation in all areas of the tourism industry between the two countries.

(Xinhua News Agency July 20, 2011)