China and the United States enjoy extensive common interests and a basis of cooperation despite the existing differences, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Beijing Thursday.  

Premier Wen made the remark while meeting with the visiting former US President George Bush.

Wen expressed appreciation for Bush's active efforts in boosting Sino-US relations over the years, saying that the development of the sound constructive cooperation is in the fundamental interests of the people of both countries and is conducive to peace, stability and development of the world.

The Chinese and US leaders have been in close contact and the two sides have made fruitful cooperation and coordination in various fields in recent years, said Wen.

Wen said Sino-US relations can move ahead in a sound and healthy way as long as the two countries view bilateral relations from a long and strategic perspective, respect each other, seek the common ground while reserving differences and grasp the overall situation of bilateral relations.

Bush said US Vice President Dick Cheney had made a successful visit to China recently, which exerted a positive influence on US-China relations.

Bush said the two countries had developed vigorous trade relations over recent years and he hoped that they would continue to enhance cooperation in this field.

(Xinhua News Agency April 23, 2004)