China hopes the constructive and cooperative relations with the United States will progress continuously, which are conducive to the two peoples and the world as a whole, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in New York Tuesday.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao delivers a speech at a luncheon co-hosted by the National Committee on US-China Relations and other American organizations in New York on Tuesday, September 23, 2008. [Photo: Xinhua]

Wen made the remarks during a meeting with former US Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger.

"Despite ups and downs, great achievements have been made in China-US relations over the past three decades since the two countries forged diplomatic ties," Wen said.

The two countries need to enhance cooperation in a bid to address current challenges in economy, finance, energy and environment, said Wen, who arrived here Tuesday to attend meetings at the headquarters of the United Nations.

China is willing to maintain and develop the constructive and cooperative relations with the United States whoever becomes the next US president, he added.

On the Taiwan issue, Wen said, "We hope the US side will adhere to the one China principle and the three China-US joint communiques," he said.

Wen also expressed sincere appreciation for the contributions Kissinger had made to the normalization of China-US diplomatic ties and the development of bilateral relations.

Recalling the achievements China has made since his historic visit to the country 37 years ago, Kissinger said the US-China relationship is of great significance and cooperation between the two countries is needed to address various challenges in the current world.

The United States should have a long-term and global vision to develop sustainable cooperative relations with China, Kissinger said.

The former US secretary of state also vowed to continue to spare no efforts to promote the development of US-China relations.

During his three-day stay in New York, Wen will attend a high-level UN meeting for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Thursday and the general debate of the 63rd UN General Assembly Wednesday. He will address the two meetings to further outline China's development objectives.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao delivers a speech at a luncheon co-hosted by the National Committee on US-China Relations and other American organizations in New York on Tuesday, September 23, 2008. [Photo: Xinhua]

(Xinhua News Agency September 24, 2008)