CHINA SEEKS STRONGER TIES WITH U.S.

    On China-U.S. relations, the top legislator pointed out that bilateral tie "now stand at a new historical starting point."

    Since U.S. President Barack Obama took office, thanks to the concerted efforts of both sides, China-U.S. relations have achieved a smooth transition and got off to a good start and maintained a positive momentum of growth, he said.

    "It is our shared view that, in the new situation, the strategic significance and global impact of China-U.S. relations have become all the more prominent," Wu said.

    Furthering China-U.S. relations, he said, serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples and contributes to peace and development of the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

    Wu put forward a three-point proposal to enhance China-U.S. cooperation: expanding the scope of cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit and win-win progress, building up support for cooperation through increased exchanges, and properly handling differences in line with the principle of mutual respect.

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

    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.

    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.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivers a welcome speech at a dinner after meeting with Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, in Washington, Sept. 11, 2009.(Xinhua/Pang Xinglei) Photo Gallery>>>

    U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in her welcoming speech that the relationship between China and the United States has the potential to help shape a right course "not only for our nations and peoples, but also for the world."

    "President Obama and I agreed that we have entered a new era for U.S.-China relationship. Building a strong relationship with China is a strong goal of the Obama administration," she said.

    "We want to work as much as possible in the years ahead to build a strong foundation for our future cooperation," said Clinton.

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