Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping pledged Tuesday to make a joint effort with Japan to explore new ways of cooperation in the post-financial crisis era.

"The two sides should focus on the present cooperation while viewing relations from a long-term perspective, and try to explore new areas for cooperation," Xi said during a breakfast meeting with Japanese business leaders.

Xi during the meeting advanced a four-point proposal to push forward bilateral trade that included:

-- To promote bilateral trade and make it return to normal levels. Trade volumes of the two countries have maintained negative growth since the end of last year, and the decrease slowed down from this year. The two sides should try to maintain good momentum by expanding trade and technological cooperation.

-- To enhance cooperation on sustainable development. The two countries should bring into play their respective advantages to make more investments in energy, environment, low carbon economy and circular economy.

-- To expand high-tech cooperation. China and Japan share big market opportunities in the areas of new energy resources and materials, biomedical, telecommunication and equipment manufacture, and should carry out cooperation in these areas on an equal footing through a reciprocity principle.

-- To improve cooperation between China, Japan and the Republic of Korea(ROK). Xi hoped the Japanese business leaders would play a positive role in pushing joint research among the three countries to establish a free trade agreement, and try to reach a balanced, feasible and win-win deal in that regard.

Xi said trade was an important pillar of China-Japan relations. China has now become Japan's largest trading partner, biggest export market, and the most preferred place for Japanese investors. He hoped the business circle in Japan would work with China to upgrade bilateral trade and make new contributions to bilateral ties and regional prosperity.

Fujio Mitarai, chairman of the Japan Business Federation, said China's fast growth and its commitment to developing an energy-saving and environmentally friendly society would bring new chances for closer cooperation with Japan. He said Japan would like to work together with China to boost their strategic partnership.

During the breakfast meeting, Xi also answered questions on China's economic situation, climate change and east Asian cooperation.

Japan was the first stop of Xi's four-nation Asian tour. He will also visit the ROK, Myanmar, and Cambodia.