China, US agree bilateral relations as 'most important'

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-01-12 23:50

BEIJING - China and the United States on Monday agreed that Sino-US relations had become one of the most dynamic and important bilateral relations in the world.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping and visiting former US President Jimmy Carter made the consensus when addressing a reception in the Great Hall of the People to mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

"As one of the most dynamic and important bilateral relations in the world, Sino-US relations not only benefit the two peoples, but also help world peace and development," Xi said.

Xi said that at this crucial time, during the international financial crisis, China and the United States should deal with bilateral relations from a broader global perspective and from the attitude of keeping pace with the times.

He called for the two nations to constantly review bilateral relations from a strategic and overall perspective and firmly pursue constructive and cooperative relations.

The two countries should maintain exchanges and improve all dialogue and cooperation mechanisms, so as to increase mutual understanding and trust, Xi said.

China and the United States should increase cooperation to jointly respond to global challenges, and expand common interests to contribute more to world peace and development, he added.

Xi also called for the two countries to abide by the three Sino-US joint communiques and respect each other's core interests in a bid to safeguard and promote their relations.

The two nations should strengthen friendly exchanges between their peoples to cement the social basis for friendship, he said.

The two countries saw trade exceed US$300 billion in 2007, about 120 times of that 30 years ago.

So far, the two governments have signed more than 30 agreements of cooperation, and set up more than 60 dialogue mechanisms.

China and the United States, as cooperative partners, not strategic opponent, enjoyed mutually beneficial relations, not zero-sum competitive ties, Xi said. The cooperation was conducive for both countries, for the Asia-Pacific region, and for the world at large.

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