Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan on Tuesday met with president Minoru Harada of Japan's major lay Buddhist organization Soka Gakkai in Beijing.

Peace and friendship between China and Japan serve the fundamental interests of people of the two countries and is the only way to maintain the healthy and stable development of bilateral ties, Wang said.

He voiced his appreciation of Soka Gakkai's peace-loving and anti-war stance, as well as its long-term efforts in promoting understanding and friendship between the Chinese and Japanese people.

Saying China-Japan relations have recently shown momentum of improvement, Wang called on both sides to increase exchanges and deepen mutual understanding and trust at all levels and in various areas, in order to consolidate the political foundation of bilateral ties and advance their good-neighborly friendship.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship.

For his part, Minoru Harada said Soka Gakkai is firmly committed to peace and friendship between the two countries, and will carry on its tradition and make new contribution to bilateral ties.