China and the United States have "interwoven interests" and cooperation will benefit both sides, while confrontation hurts both countries, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said on Wednesday.

Yang made the remarks at a joint press conference with visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Clinton and Yang noted that the two countries are not always able to see eye-to-eye in every issue, including trade and some international issues, but that it's crucial to maintain a cooperative partnership.

The economic relationship between China and the US is an important driving force for the overall bilateral relationship, Yang said. In economic exchanges between such two large nations, it's inevitable to have disputes and frictions, he said.

"We hope both sides will act in the spirit of openness and appropriately handle and resolve these issues through consultations. Actually, the two sides have made important progress in that regard," Yang said.

Mutual respect for each other's core interests and major concerns is the important precondition for the steady and smooth development of the bilateral relationship, Yang said.

Contact the writers at chengguangjin@chinadaily.com.cn and wujiao@chinadaily.com.cn