Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said on Wednesday that China hopes to deepen ties with the United States under President Barack Obama.

Yang congratulated Obama on becoming the 44th US President and expressed China's willingness to cooperate with Washington to push forward Sino-US relations.

Yang also said the constructive cooperation between China and the US is beneficial to both nations and contributes to the peace, stability and development of the Asia-Pacific region and the whole world.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said, "In the new phase of history, the two countries should continue to evaluate and treat the bilateral relationship from a strategic and long-term point of view. And also the two sides should aim to strengthen dialogue and exchanges between the two countries, paying attention to the fundamental concerns on both sides and working to develop bilateral relations."

(CCTV January 23, 2009)