BEIJING -- Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday called for closer cooperation with Japan in developing "green" economies.

Li, while meeting with a group of Japanese business leaders, said that both countries should tap their potential to promote environmentally friendly methods of developing their economies.

During a meeting with a delegation of the Japanese Business Federation, which was led by chairman Hiromasa Yonekura and honorable chairman Fujio Mitarai, Li said that developing stable relations between China and Japan is not only in the fundamental interests of both countries, but also benefits peace, stability and prosperity in Asia and the rest of the world.

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He called on both countries to cement political trust and expand win-win cooperation and cultural exchanges in order to lay a solid foundation for the further growth of bilateral relations.

Realizing sustainable development is a common task for many countries around the world, Li said.

China considers the construction of an environmentally friendly society to be its focus as it works to transform its economic development, he said.

The country is making efforts to save energy, reduce carbon emissions and change the way it consumes, the vice premier added.

Hiromasa Yonekura told Li that the Japanese side hopes to further enhance exchanges with China in order to promote cooperation between companies from both countries.

The Japanese delegation is attending the China-Japan Green Expo 2011, which is being held in Beijing from June 1 to 3.

The expo has over 50 participating companies from both countries, with companies displaying new advances in recycling and other environmentally friendly initiatives.

The Japanese Business Federation is made up of representatives from many of Japan's leading companies, industrial associations and regional economic organizations.