People-to-people exchanges between Chinan and the United States have achieved fruitful results and promoted the development of bilateral ties, Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong said on Wednesday.
Liu made the remarks during the sixth China-U.S. high-level Consultations on the People-to-people Exchange (CPE).
Liu said the mechanism has developed in an unprecedented pace since it was founded six years ago. She added that the CPE, political mutual-trust and economic cooperation have become the three pillars of the China-U.S. relationship.
Liu noted 119 outcomes have been achieved in the fields of education, science-technology, culture, health, sports, women and youth during this year's CPE.
She said the CPE has promoted the understanding of the two peoples and enhanced the practical cooperation between China and the United States, having become a foundation in the establishment of a new type of major-country relations.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Anthony Blinken agreed with Liu on the achievements made by the CPE.
He said the success of the CPE is built on the involvement and contribution of universities, scientific research institutes, arts and cultural organizations, sports entities, civil society organizations and enterprises of both countries.
It was noted that for the first time in this year's CPE, health issue has been added on the list of future cooperation.
On Wednesday, Liu also met with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry before attending the CPE.
Kerry said that last year saw fruitful achievements in the sector of people-to-people exchanges. It is believed that people-to-people exchanges, particularly exchanges between youth of the two countries, are crucial for improving understanding, trust and friendship between people in China and the United States.
He urged more efforts from both sides in further improvement of the CPE, which has wide prospect and large potential in the future.
"Although China and the United States differ in terms of culture and political systems, as long as we open up our hearts to each other, respect each other and seek common ground while putting aside differences, we can bridge any gap and usher in a more promising future for a new model of major-county relationship," Liu wrote in a recent article published in USA Today.
This will not only benefit the two peoples, but also contribute to world peace and prosperity, Liu added.
