BEIJING, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping's visits to Japan, South Korea, Myanmar and Cambodia consolidated friendly relations, enhanced mutual trust and promoted practical cooperation with the countries, the vice foreign minister said Tuesday.

    Xi was the first Chinese state leader to visit Japan since the new Japanese government led by Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama took office in September, said Wu Dawei.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (L) shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama in Tokyo, Japan, Dec. 14, 2009. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng) Photo Gallery>>>

    Xi highlighted the great importance the Chinese government has attached to its ties with Japan, saying both sides should continue efforts to enhance the friendly links between the two countries.

    Xi called on both sides to work together to further the China-Japan strategic and mutually beneficial relationship in a bid to realize their peaceful co-existence and long-term friendliness.

    During the visit to Seoul, Xi said China and South Korea should strive to deepen their strategic and cooperative partnership under the new situation.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (1st, L) meets with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak (1st, R) in Seoul, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Dec. 17, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Tao) Photo Gallery>>>

    When meeting with leaders of Myanmar and Cambodia, Xi stressed that it has been a fixed policy of the Chinese government to develop relations with the two countries no matter how the world situation might change.

    Xi has focused his visits on efforts to push for a practical cooperation with the four Asian nations, as well as on more exchanges on low-carbon and high technology and circular economy.

    The vice president called for more cooperation between China and Japan in confronting the international financial crisis. Efforts also should be made to deepen their cooperation in new energy, new material and information technologies in bids to enhance the level of the China-Japan trade links, he said.

Visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (L) meets with Than Shwe, chairman of Myanmar's State Peace and Development Council, in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, Dec. 20, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Tao) Photo Gallery>>>

    Noting Japan's advancement in environmental protection and technology, Xi said there exists a huge potential for the two countries to expand their cooperation in such areas.

    Japanese businessmen and officials hoped China's good economic momentum could last as the country is turning from a "world manufacturer" to "world market." China's development would bear on the Japanese economic recovery.

    Emphasizing the mutually beneficial relations between China and South Korea, South Korean businessmen expressed a readiness to deepen cooperation with China as it provides a huge market for South Korea's development.

Visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (R) and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (L) review the guard of honor during a welcoming ceremony in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Dec. 21, 2009. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng) Photo Gallery>>>

    In meeting with the foreign leaders, the vice president elaborated on China's accomplishments over the past sixty years since the birth of the People's Republic of China. He also spoke of the difficulties facing China's economic and social development.

    Xi said China would follow the path of sustainable development under the guidance of the scientific outlook on development.

    Speaking of China's measures against the global financial crisis and its effects, Xi said China is willing to work with the international community to deal with the adverse impact of the crisis.

    The vice president said China will adhere to the policy of building friendship and partnerships with neighboring countries and continue its path of peaceful development.

    China's development serves as an opportunity instead of a threat, Xi said.

    China would keep on building a harmonious society domestically while committing to constructing a harmonious Asia and world.

    Promoting exchanges among various cultures is one of the most notable features of the vice president's visits.

    In Tokyo, he attended the opening ceremony of the China Culture Center. In addition, before the end of the visit, he inaugurated the first Confucius Institute in Cambodia.

    Tightly scheduled, Xi's four-nation tour was fruitful and influential, Wu concluded.