BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- China would like to continue deepening mutually-beneficial cooperation with the United States so as to push forward the healthy and steady growth of bilateral ties, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said here on Tuesday.

    The senior adviser on foreign affairs made the remarks while meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan(R) shakes hands with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during their meeting in Beijing, capital of China, on Feb. 26, 2008.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    He said Rice's visit came at "a very important moment" given the current bilateral ties and the evolution and development of the international and regional situation.

    "The China-U.S. relations has gone far beyond the bilateral dimension and has increasing global influences and important strategic meanings."

    Speaking positively of the China-U.S. relations, Tang said the steady growth of bilateral relations is in the interest of both peoples. They also make an important contribution to the peace, stability and development of the world.

    Tang pledged the two countries should work together to promote strategic mutual understanding, properly solve the Taiwan issue, and continue to deepen the mutually-beneficial cooperation so as to push forward the healthy and steady growth of bilateral ties.

    Rice said the Sino-U.S. ties have developed with good momentum, with the candid dialogue at a strategic level.

    The United States welcomed China's economic development, Rice said. As a responsible member in the international system, China has played a key role in global affairs, she added.

    The United States wanted to strengthen cooperation with China so as to promote the resolution of the issues facing the whole world, Rice said.

    On the Korean peninsular nuclear issue, Tang said the six-party talks had generally kept an advancing momentum. All parties involved should implement their promises and seek an appropriate resolution at the earliest date.

    He called for a full implementation of the second phase action plan and to create favorable conditions for the next phase of the talks.

    China was ready to maintain negotiations and coordination with all sides, and jointly push forward the development of the nuclear talks, Tang said.

    China would make a constructive contribution to the normalization of diplomatic ties between the relevant countries, the changing of the war mechanism to the peace mechanism on the Korean peninsula, and the construction of a new security structure in northeast Asia, he added.

    Rice said the United States applauded China's important role in the talks. The United States would continue to make a contribution on the process of the talks, and would like to strengthen cooperation with China on the issue.