US President George W. Bush said in Washington Wednesday that the Sino-US cooperation is of vital importance to the two countries and the world as well, according to officials from the Chinese Embassy.  

He said that the United States is willing to work with China to raise the bilateral relationship to a new level.

Bush made the remarks during a meeting with former Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen, who came to the United States to take part in the Sino-US conference held in the Texas A&M University on Nov. 5-8.

The US president said his administration and he himself have attached great importance to the Sino-US relationship and he is glad to see the progress made in the bilateral relationship over the past years.

Qian said that a good relationship between China and the United States is in the interest of the two peoples and the world as a whole.

Both China and the United States share extensive interests and have broad room for cooperation, he said, adding that the constructive relationship of cooperation between the two countries will be pushed forward through increased dialogue and exchanges, and the expansion of cooperation in various fields.

(Xinhua News Agency November 13, 2003)