China and the United States should respect each other, expand cooperation and properly handle differences so as to push forward the bilateral ties, said Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, in Beijing Monday.

Jia made the remarks in a meeting with Mark Warner, governor of the US state of Virginia.

Jia said that both China and the United States are great countries, and the economic and trade cooperation has expanded since they forged diplomatic ties. The two countries share an extensive common interest in safeguarding world peace and prosperity, he noted.

"China attaches importance to the relations with the United States, and will further the constructive and cooperative relationship," he added.

Jia said that he is happy to know that China's Fujian Province and State of Virginia will establish a sister province-state relationship, and China hopes to promote the cooperation with the United States through furthering province-to-state relations.

Warner said that China has become a major trade partner of Virginia, and he hopes to enhance the cooperation between the two sides in agriculture and aviation fields.

(Xinhua News Agency June 8, 2004)