Chinese President Hu Jintao on Thursday called on China and the United States to nourish friendship between the two peoples.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (C) addresses the opening session of the fourth round of the China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue in Beijing, capital of China, May 3, 2012. [Xie Huanchi/Xinhua]

Hu made the remark when addressing the opening session of the fourth round of the China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogues (S&ED) in Beijing.

"To build a new type of relations between China and the United States, we need to nourish our friendship," he said, noting that friendship between people holds the key to growing good relations between states.

He said the two sides should actively promote exchanges between Chinese and Americans from all walks of life and encourage greater public participation in the cause of promoting China-U.S. friendship and cooperation.

"I am glad to note that the third meeting of the China-U.S. High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange will be held at the same time of the fourth round of the S&ED," he said.

He hoped that this meeting will further enhance the mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.