BEIJING, July 24 (Xinhua) -- China encourages and supports non-governmental exchanges between China and foreign countries, Vice President Li Yuanchao said on Wednesday.

Li made the remarks during a meeting with foreign representatives of the 2013 Understanding and Cooperation Dialogue.

Li said all countries need to strengthen mutual understanding and cooperation, convert their diversity into vigor for development and promote common development alongside their own development.

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, one of the representatives of the dialogue, said mutual understanding will strengthen cooperation among all countries.

He also said that he is confident that the "Chinese dream" will have a positive impact on China as well as the world.