Chinese President Hu Jintao on Friday hailed the "positive results" of the fourth round of the China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue(S&ED) as he met with top U.S. negotiators attending the annual gathering.

US Secretary of State Hillary of Clinton (L) shakes hands with Chinese President Hu Jintao during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Friday. [Xu Jingxing/Asianewsphoto]

Hu said China and the U.S. reached several significant agreements during the two-day dialogue.

He expressed his appreciation for the "excellent work" accomplished by both sides.

He made the remarks while meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, special representatives of U.S. President Barack Obama.

Hu called for the two sides to fully utilize the talks in strengthening strategic communication, enhancing mutual trust and advancing strategic cooperation in order to contribute to the development of the cooperative partnership between the two countries.

Hu said both sides should adopt a long-term view and proceed from the basic interests of their respective peoples in enhancing mutual trust and expanding cooperation.

Hu called for the two sides to respect each other's core interests and appropriately address differences in order to create a better future for China-U.S. relations.

During the meeting with President Hu, Clinton said the U.S.-China relationship is stronger than it has ever been.

"There is a lot of work ahead of us, but we find more and more opportunities for cooperation," she said.

"We have developed a very open and honest relationship where we can discuss our differences," she said. "We remain committed to bridging those differences whenever and wherever possible."

She said the fourth round of the dialogue has seen excellent results so far, adding that the partnership between China and the U.S. conforms with the common interests of both countries.

The U.S. side expressed a wish to work with China to maintain high-level contact, bridge differences, expand cooperation and address difficulties and challenges.

Geithner said China and the US will "build a stronger economic relationship" despite challenges in bilateral relations.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping also met with Clinton and  Geithner respectively on Friday.

Wen praised the substantial results achieved during the dialogue.

China and the U.S. have conducted four rounds of the S&ED since 2009, Wen said, adding that the dialogue has become an important feature of bilateral ties and a major platform for enhancing communication and cooperation.

He said both countries should improve the quality and effectiveness of the dialogue in order to promote the development of bilateral ties.

Wen said the sustainable and steady development of the S&ED is the result of adhering to the principle of mutual respect, treating each other as equals and accommodating the major concerns of both parties.

"I would like to listen to the advice of our U.S. peers so that we can further develop our cooperation," he said.

Initiated by the heads of state of the two countries, the annual S&ED has become a major channel for high-level communication between China and the U.S. The heads of more than 20 government agencies on both sides have attended the gathering in Beijing this year.