In the current complex international situation, China and the United States share broader basis for cooperation, said a media note released after the Frist Round of the US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED), which concluded in Washington Tuesday.

"The two sides noted that, at a time of continued challenges in international financial markets, and when the international situation is undergoing complex and profound changes, the United States and China share even more important responsibilities, extensive common interests, and a broader basis for cooperation," the media note said.

The first round of the US-China S&ED was held in Washington, D.C. on July 27-28. Chinese State Councilor Dai Binguo and Vice Premier Wang Qishan, as special representatives of Chinese President Hu Jintao, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Secretary of the Treasury Timothy F. Geithner, as special representatives of US President Barack Obama, co-chaired the Dialogue, which included the Strategic Track and the Economic Track under the framework.

During the Dialogue, the two sides had a candid and in-depth exchanges of views on the strategic, long-term and overarching issues concerning the development of bilateral relations.

Both sides recognized that the Dialogue offers a unique forum to promote understanding, expand common ground, reduce differences, enhance mutual trust, and step up cooperation.

"As a result of two days of high-level meetings, both sides gave a positive assessment of the current development of US-China relations," the media note said, "They recognized that US-China relations have maintained strong, positive momentum."

"In particular, the meeting between President Barack Obama and President Hu Jintao in London in April charted the course for the growth of US-China relations in a new era and provided a strong impetus to deepen mutually beneficial cooperation."

According to the media note, the two sides also affirmed that the Dialogue provides an important framework for strengthening relations on the basis of the April Summit.

Also, the two sides agreed that increased US-China cooperation not only serves the common interests of the two peoples, but also contributes to peace, stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large.

As for mutual exchanges, the two sides agreed that close high-level contacts and exchanges play an irreplaceable role in developing US-China relations and confirmed that President Barack Obama will visit China this year at the invitation of President Hu Jintao.

"The two sides will work together to prepare well for upcoming bilateral interactions at various levels," the media note said.

"The two sides welcomed recent improvement in military-to-military relations and agreed that the two militaries would expand exchanges at all levels," it said.

All participants expressed willingness to encourage US-China cultural and people-to-people exchanges and cooperation, particularly youth exchanges, as well as the US-China Friendship Volunteers Proram, to enhance mutual understanding.

According to the media note, the Chinese side welcomed the US reaffirmation of its participation with a national pavilion in the Shanghai World Expo 2010, which was made official on July 10.

As for the visa issue that hinders many Chinese people from visiting the United States, the US side described new policies being developed to expedite visa processing for Chinese citizens to visit the United States and committed to maintain close consultation on this issue.

"The two sides intend to build on our already growing educational, athletic, scientific and technological exchanges, and to continue to hold the US-China Cultural Forum, " said the media note.

In addition, the two sides also discussed ways to enhance mutual understanding and positive cooperation on human rights issues through bilateral Human Rights Dialogue and other initiatives on the basis of equality and mutual respect.

(Xinhua News Agency July 29, 2009)