BEIJING - Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday called on US business circles to promote bilateral trade and economic cooperation between China and the United States.

"Business circles participate in, promote and benefit from the development of China-US relations and bilateral trade cooperation. We hope the US-China Business Council will continue to give play to its advantage and influence to make the US side know the benefit of the two countries' reciprocal cooperation," said Li when meeting a delegation of the council led by Chairman Robert A. McDonald in downtown Beijing.

Li said the economies of China and the United States are highly complementary. The two countries face more opportunities for cooperation than competition and challenges.

According to the vice premier, China-U.S, bilateral trade volume has increased more than 180 times since the establishment of diplomatic ties over 30 years ago. China is one of the fastest-growing export markets of the United States.

"The two countries should grasp the opportunity, relax irrational restrictions and expand their converging interests. This will also create more jobs for both sides," he urged.

The vice premier added that ever-deepening trade cooperation is an important foundation for the building of a China-US cooperative partnership featuring mutual respect and reciprocity. The development of China-US trade relations is not only in the interests of the two countries, but will also promote a stable recovery of the world economy.

McDonald, also chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of Procter & Gamble, said the council will make more efforts to promote the development of China-US relations, expand bilateral trade and support Chinese companies to invest in the United States.

The US-China Business Council, established in 1973, is a non-governmental and non-profit institution aiming to promote bilateral trade, economic and technological cooperation.