Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said in Beijing Monday he hopes China and the United States can strengthen exchanges and cooperation.

 

Tang told a delegation from the US state of Alabama led by Governor Bob Riley, that Sino-US relations had developed smoothly and the two sides should strengthen cooperation and deal with differences properly to advance the constructive and cooperative relationship.

 

Riley said stronger exchanges and cooperation were in the interests of both sides and Alabama was willing to expand cooperation, especially economic.

 

The delegation is here at the invitation of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the government of central China's Hubei Province, sister province of Alabama.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 11, 2006)