China-U.S. dialogue highlights will for new ties

A new round of China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) on Thursday highlighted the will of both sides to build new relations in the era of economic globalization.

China and the United States should break the traditional belief that big powers will conflict with each other, and seek new ways to develop relations between major countries, said Chinese President Hu Jintao when addressing the opening session of the fourth round of the S&ED in Beijing.

To build such a new type of relations between China and the United States, Hu called on the two sides to advance with the times in their thinking, policies and actions.

Over the past 30 years and more since its reform and opening-up process started, China has, through the hard work and wisdom of the Chinese people and win-win cooperation with people around the world, pursued peaceful development, he said.

"To follow the path of peaceful development is China's strategic choice that will never change, and it is a solemn commitment China has made to the world," according to Hu.

To build a new type of relation between China and the United States, the president also called on the two sides to act in a spirit of equality and mutual understanding.

Given different national conditions, it is impossible for China and the United States to see eye to eye on every issue, he admitted, calling on the two sides to expand common ground and properly manage their differences through dialogue and exchanges and by improving mutual understanding.

As the world's top two economies were linked by shared global responsibilities, Hu suggested the two countries should step up coordination on regional and international issues, and promote peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific and beyond.