BEIJING, May 14 -- China and the United States are preparing to exchange presidential visits within the year, China's Foreign Ministry announced on Friday night.

    Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) talks to US President George W. Bush during a wreath laying ceremony at the Unknown Soldier Tomb outside the Kremlin wall in Moscow, May 9, 2005.[Reuters/file]

    According to the ministry, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing discussed the issue with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice by phone on Friday night.

    "They agreed to make good preparations for the two heads of state to visit each other within the year," the release said, adding that "efforts will be made to make sure the visits are successful."

    The two also discussed other issues of common concern, the release said.

    In Beijing on Friday, Vice-Premier Wu Yi told US Ambassador to China Clark Randt that China hopes the trade disputes between the two countries can be solved through consultation.

    Wu said China has always believed economic and trade problems should be handled from a strategic perspective and "properly solved through consultation with the principles of equality, mutual-benefit and development."

    "We also should avoid mixing economic and trade problems with politics," she told Randt.

    Wu said China-US economic and trade co-operation is reciprocal and has resulted in concrete benefits for both sides. "It has also greatly propelled the development of China-US relations."

    China and the United States are faced with "great opportunities" to improve and develop bilateral ties, she said, adding that she hoped the two countries would implement the consensus reached by the leaders and further promote bilateral cooperative ties.

    Randt said economic co-operation is in the interests of both countries.

    He said the United States wants to maintain communication and dialogue with China.

(Source: China Daily)