WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Visiting top Chinese legislator Wu Bangguo put forward a three-point proposal on Thursday for the further development of China-U.S. relations.

    "To further China-U.S. relations serves the fundamental interests of our countries and peoples and contributes to peace and development of the Asia-Pacific region and beyond," Wu said in a speech delivered at a dinner hosted by American friendly organizations, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the U.S.-China Business Council and the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations.

    Wu, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), said that China and the United States, as the largest developing country and the largest developed country respectively, have broad common interests and a solid foundation for cooperation, and both countries now face important opportunities for development.

    First, the two countries should expand the scope of cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit and win-win progress, he said.

    As economic globalization grows in depth and scientific and technological revolution surges forward, countries have become increasingly interdependent and mankind is confronted with more and more common challenges, said Wu.

    As countries with important influence in the world, China and the Untied States shoulder important responsibilities in this regard, and it is of particular importance for the two sides to step up efforts to enhance cooperation in a joint response to the international financial crisis, to strengthen cooperation in energy, environment and climate change, and to engage in closer communication and coordination on regional and international issues, he said.

    Second, the two sides should build up support for cooperation through increased exchanges, he said.

    "The growth of our relationship and cooperation calls for the involvement of people from all sectors in the two countries. We should continue to increase mutual exchanges and visits in all fields and at all levels so that together, we will further push forward our relations," said the top Chinese legislator.

    The NPC of China is ready to work with the U.S. Congress to maintain close communication, strengthen regular exchanges and carry out multi-tiered friendly exchanges between special committees and working bodies with a view to serving the overall interests of China-U.S. relations, he said.

    The two congresses should conduct candid dialogue, enhance political mutual trust and facilitate practical cooperation so as to continue to play a constructive role in building the positive, cooperative and comprehensive China-U.S. relationship, he said.

    Third, the two countries should handle their differences under the principle of mutual respect, Wu said.

    "To properly handle major and sensitive issues in our relations is crucial to the sound and steady growth of China-U.S. relations," he said.

    Wu said that the two sides, acting in a spirit of mutual respect, seeking common ground while reserving differences and win-win cooperation, should view and develop China-U.S. relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, respect the system and development path of each other's own choice, respect each other's core interests and major concerns and expand converging interests through candid dialogue and patient communications.

    "Only in this way can we work together to preserve and promote the overall growth of the China-U.S. relationship," he said.

    Wu is here on a week-long official goodwill visit to the United States, the final leg of his three-nation tour to the Americas, which also took him to Cuba and the Bahamas.

Special Report: Top Legislator Wu Visits Cuba, the Bahamas, U.S.