Kissinger says strengthening China-U.S. co-op "in common interests"

BEIJING, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Visiting former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said on Saturday to continue strengthening exchanges and cooperation between China and the United States is in the common interests of both sides.

Kissinger made the remarks in a meeting with Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan. He said China has made surprising achievements since its reform and opening up 30 years ago.

Zeng said this year is a crucial year for China-U.S. relations, and China is ready to make joint efforts with the U.S. side to continue to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen dialogue, mutual trust and cooperation, and consolidate and deepen common interests.

He added that the two sides should also respect and consider the concerns of each other and properly handle differences.

Zeng hailed the new progress of China-U.S. relations in the past year, saying the two countries have conducted "fruitful" exchanges and cooperation in various fields and maintained good coordination on major international and regional issues.

Kissinger added that the international community was deeply impressed by the solidarity and efforts of the Chinese government and people in fighting against the recent snow disaster.

Kissinger is visiting China at the invitation of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs.