Li, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, made the remark when meeting Donald A. Manzullo, a Republican representative to the U.S. Congress.

The economies of the two countries are highly complementary, and rapid economic and trade developments between the two have benefited the two peoples, Li said.

He said that China appreciates the moves by the U.S. Congress and President Bush to ratify the Permanent Normal Trade Relations status for China.

The chilly relationship between China and the United States started to crack 30 years ago and the normalization of bilateral ties began, Li recalled, stressing that over the past three decades, the Sino-US relations have been constantly moved forward despite frequent difficulties.

"History has proved that China and the United States share broad and important common interests, even though they have disparities of various kinds," Li said, adding that the development of bilateral ties is in the interest of the two peoples and is vital to the peace, stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific regions and the world.

China is glad to see that since the meeting of President Jiang Zemin and President Bush in Shanghai in October, the bilateral relations have maintained their forward momentum, Li said.

China is willing to work with the United States for the strengthening of exchanges and cooperation in all fields, including exchanges between lawmakers, for the proper handling of differences, and for the advancement of bilateral ties, he said.

Li said that China is satisfied with the cooperative efforts with the U.S. in combating terrorism in recent months, and such efforts should continue.

Congressman Manzullo said that both sides should devote themselves to bolstering cooperative relations, as both are members of the WTO.

He especially expressed his gratitude to China for its support to the American people after the terrorist attacks on September 11.

(People's Daily January 8, 2002)