(Photo: Xinhua)

BEIJING, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- First-ever China-Japan gymnastics co-training camp started here on Sunday, aiming to seek for answers for both men's national teams.

Olympic champion Uchimura Kohei and almost the whole Japanese men's gymnastics team arrived in Beijing on Sunday, starting their seven-day co-training camp with Chinese men's national team.

Chinese national team will pay a return visit from February 11 to 17.

"I personally believe that co-training camp between the top two teams is one of the best ways to promote the development of men's gymnastics all around the world," said Miao Zhongyi, the president of Chinese Gymnastics Association.

Mizutori Hisashi, head coach of Japanese men's gymnastics team, expected the same as Miao.

"Our goal is to defend our crown in 2020," said Mizutori, whose side won men's team gold medal dominantly at Rio 2016 but declined to third place at Doha World Championships last year.

"I hope that we can get some inspiration from China, to help us improve our execution scores."