By Xinhua
Beijing : Strengthening cooperation and exchanges of dialogue between China and the US is in the common interests of both countries, visiting former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger said here Saturday.
During a meeting with Chinese Vice-Premier Zeng Peiyan, Kissinger said China has made surprising achievements since its reform and opening up 30 years ago.
Zeng, in his turn, said this year is a crucial year for China-US relations. China is ready to make joint efforts with the US to continue to implement the important consensus reached by the two states to strengthen dialogue, mutual trust and cooperation, and consolidate and deepen common interests.
He added that the two sides should also respect and consider the concerns of each other and properly settle their differences.
Zeng hailed the new progress of China-US relations in the past year, saying the two countries had conducted “fruitful” exchanges and cooperation in various fields and maintained good coordination on major international and regional issues.
Kissinger added the international community was deeply impressed by the solidarity and efforts of the Chinese government and people in fighting against the recent snow disaster.
Kissinger is visiting China at the invitation of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs.