Through parties, president aims to boost Japan ties

President Xi Jinping has urged Beijing and Tokyo to boost exchanges among their ruling parties, deepen communication and cooperation and play a leading role in improving ties.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, called for the exchanges while meeting on Thursday in Beijing with visiting senior members of Japan's ruling coalition, formed by the Liberal Democratic Party and its junior partner Komeito party.

Toshihiro Nikai, secretary-general of the Liberal Democrats, and Yoshihisa Inoue, secretary-general of Komeito, led the Japanese delegation.