China, US should respect each other, says Premier Li

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (R) meets with a delegation led by the U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (L) in Beijing, capital of China, April 24, 2014. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday urged China and United States to respect each other to promote sound and stable development of China-US relations.

The two countries should also expand dialogue and cooperation on the basis of the three joint communiques and basic norms guiding international relations, and properly handle disputes, Li said in a meeting with a delegation led by the US House Majority Leader Eric Cantor.

Reviewing the "successful talks" between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit in the Hague, Li said the development of Sino-US ties since the two countries established diplomatic relations 35 years ago shows that the two countries' development and prosperity brought opportunities for each other.

He reaffirmed China's unswerving resolution to pursue a peaceful path of development and unshakable will to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

China is ready to work with other countries to safeguard international and regional peace and stability and promote development and cooperation, Li said.

China and the United States have more common interests than disputes, the premier noted.

He added that China's comprehensive reform and further opening-up will bring new opportunities for bilateral cooperation. The two countries should step up their negotiation on investment agreement, and deepen cooperation in all areas.

Li urged the United States to relax restrictions on exports of high-technology to China and provide a fair competition environment for Chinese companies to invest there.

He also welcomed more US congressmen to visit China, increase mutual understanding and play a constructive role for the progress of relations.

Cantor said the future of the United States is tied to the Asia-Pacific region and an ever growing US-China relations.

He vowed that the US House of Representatives and its members will make efforts to promote the progress of bilateral ties, the two countries' common prosperity and people's friendship.

The two sides also discussed international and regional issues of common concern.

Premier Li elaborated China's stance on the South China Sea and the Diaoyu Islands.

On Thursday morning, senior legislator Ji Bingxuan and Cantor presided over talks between the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, and the US delegation at the Great Hall of the People.

The two sides held a "candid and in-depth discussion" on China-US relations, exchanges and cooperation between the two legislatures and the Asia-Pacific situation, according to a press release from the NPC.

China's top legislator Zhang Dejiang also met with Cantor on Thursday afternoon.

Cantor is visiting China from Wednesday to Saturday, at the invitation of the NPC Standing Committee.