China, US should make common interests outweigh differences

BEIJING - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday called on China and the United Sates to work together to expand common interests to make them outweigh the differences between the two nations.

"China and the United States should increase their mutual trust and  expand common interests so that they can outweigh the differences between the two sides. More favorable conditions should be created for cooperation in different fields and concerted efforts should be endeavored to build a new type of relationship between the two big nations," Li said in his meeting with visiting US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew.

Given the weakness of the world economic recovery, Li called on the international community, including the US, to actively work together to make handling economic issues a priority.

"As major world economic powers, China and the United States have great influence over the recovery process of the world economy," Li said.

He also pointed out that the two nations are both at a pivotal stage for setting a new course for the future, and therefore, they should promote a cooperative partnership featuring mutual respect and mutual benefit and look at each other from a strategic, comprehensive and long-term perspective.

"Many issues that used to trouble China-US relations were resolved through the development of bilateral ties, and it will be the same case in the future," Li said, vowing to join hands with the US to boost bilateral ties.

Echoing Li's views, Lew, who is visiting China as a special representative of US President Barack Obama, said the US wants to maintain dialogue with China and step up cooperation in various sectors via mechanisms like the Strategic and Economic Dialogue.

The US is also willing to strengthen coordination and communication with China in setting up international rules, enhance its cooperation with China on international issues such as climate change and welcome the investment of Chinese companies, Lew said.

The two sides also exchanged views on the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, the European debt crisis, the world economy and global governance.

This is Lew's first visit to China since he took office last month. The former White House chief of staff is also the first major foreign visitor received by Beijing since China completed its once-in-a-decade leadership transition last week.