The United States does not see China's increasing engagement in Latin America as a threat and supports more cooperation between the two countries, a US government official said.

Roberta Jacobson, assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere Affairs of the United States, made the remarks in Beijing on Wednesday, after she co-chaired the Sixth China-US Sub-Dialogue on Latin America, an annual event with China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"We see China's increasing engagement in this (western) hemisphere — in both trade relationship and investment relationship — as extremely positive," Jacobson said at a press briefing.

According to Jacobson, millions of people in Latin America had been lifted out of poverty over the last decade and many others have become part of the middle class. She said the robustness of the relationship with China was part of the reason for the economic improvement.

As long as trade and investment are based on international rules that everyone has agreed to and complies with local labor and environmental standards, it is "absolutely and definitely" a good thing, she added.

Trade between China and Latin America surpassed $261.2 billion in 2012, and China has become the second largest trading partner of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Jacobson said Chinese and US trade and investment relationships are different. What her country provides for Latin American consumers are mostly high-end and value-added products. "We do not in any way see China as a threat," she added. "What we do see is the potential for greater partnership."

During the dialogue this week, China and the US shared views and policy priorities on Latin America and the Caribbean. The two countries can cooperate to improve issues such as regional security, education, and social development, Jacobson said.