Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in Beijing Monday that an upcoming high-level political and economic dialogue would be "very important" for China and the United States to solve problems the two countries have regarding trade and currency.

The second round of the China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue, slated for May in Beijing, "will be a chance for China and the United States to settle disputes and problems," Wen told a group of overseas entrepreneurs attending a two-day forum in Beijing.

"We attached great importance to the dialogue," he added.

Wen's remarks came as the U.S. is pressing China to appreciate the yuan and limiting Chinese products from entering its market by raising trade barriers.

"The China-U.S. relationship is of great importance," Wen said, noting it concerns the fundamental interests of the two peoples, and its significance goes further than that.

Highlighting trade ties of overall bilateral relations, Wen said he believes some existing differences and problems could be solved through fair consultation.

"Looking back, the disputes and differences between China and the United States have been settled one by one, leading to an increasingly close political and economic relationship," said the premier.

He said China welcomes American enterprises to explore business in China, and would expand imports from the United States in the future.

The China Development Forum, with a theme of "China and the World Economy: Growth, Restructuring and Cooperation", drew over 200 foreign executives from prominent transnationals including Ford, Rio Tinto and Royal Dutch Shell.