Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Thursday that Japan's exchanges with China through governmental and grassroots channels are of significance and such exchanges should be increased, according to Jiji Press.

Abe said so after meeting with Yotaro Kobayashi, chairman of the New Japan-China Friendship Committee for the 21st Century on the Japanese side, who returned to Japan after attending a committee meeting in China last week.

"Exchanges between the two governments and those between the peoples are significant in enhancing the friendship and mutual beneficial ties between Japan and China," Abe was quoted as saying. He also said that the five committee meetings are "meaningful" and that there should be more such exchanges.

The New Japan-China Friendship Committee for the 21st Century was established in 2003, with an aim that intellectuals of both sides will study the relations from a broad perspective including politics, economy, culture, science and technology, and will make a proposal and report to the governments of both countries.