The Foreign Minister hailed yesterday's one-day strategic talks with the US a success.

"Under the joint efforts of China and the US, our first strategic dialogue has been successful," said Li Zhaoxing after meeting US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick, who arrived in Beijing on Sunday.

The closed-door talks, billed as the first of their kind since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 26 years ago, was co-chaired by Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo and Zoellick.

Li said they would help increase mutual trust, expand consensus and promote bilateral constructive relations in a healthy and stable manner.

Zoellick said that, as the US and China have broad common interests, they should reduce differences and strengthen cooperation.

As to the ongoing fourth round of six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, Zoellick said it's a difficult process and expressed appreciation for China's efforts to push for a peaceful solution.

During the dialogue, both sides exchanged views "in a candid and in-depth manner," according to a press release from the Foreign Ministry.

No detailed information was available on the subjects covered in the talks, but a second dialogue was agreed to be held in the US "months later."

Plans for the talks were agreed when President Hu Jintao and US President George W. Bush met during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation informal economic leaders' meeting in Chile last year.

(Xinhua News Agency August 3, 2005)