Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in Washington Tuesday that China and the United States are friends, not adversaries.

U.S. President George W. Bush listens as Premier Wen Jiabao (L) makes a point during remarks to the international press in the Oval Office of the White House, December 9, 2003. [Reuters]

Addressing a dinner hosted by nine American organizations, Wen, who arrived here Monday on his first official visit to the United States since taking the office early this year, put forward a series of proposals aimed at promoting the constructive and cooperative relations between the two countries.

First, he said, the two countries should continue with high-level visits and strategic dialogue.

Second, efforts should be made to facilitate mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation and establish a sound mechanism to address bilateral issues.

The third proposal he made is for intensifying coordination between the two countries on major international and regional issues.

In the fourth proposal, the premier called for expanding people-to-people exchanges.

Wen said that the Chinese nation has always cherished peace and harmony and that the rise of China is peaceful.

China is always in favor of friendship, partnership and cooperation with its neighboring and all other countries, he said.

The nine American organizations hosting the dinner were the National Committee on US-China relations, the US-China Business Council, the America-China Forum, the Asia Society, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Committee of 100, the Council on Foreign Relations, the US Chamber of Commerce and the US-China Policy Foundation.

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