China reasserted the importance of the strategic dialogue between Beijing and Washington on Tuesday, with calls for "quiet and in-depth discussions" with US officials to promote mutual trust.

Premier Wen Jiabao said the mainstream of current Sino-US relations "is dialogue and cooperation," noting that it has now reached an unprecedented level in scope and influence, as a visit by a senior US delegation to China entered its third day.?

"China and the US should not treat each other as rivals," Wen said, adding that deepened political trust, strengthened bilateral and multilateral cooperation and a harmonious atmosphere are key to bilateral ties.

"China and the US should work together to tackle the global financial crisis and promote a stable world economic recovery," said Wen.

In an earlier meeting with his American guests, State Councilor Dai Bingguo also said: "Strategic trust is the basis of China-US cooperation".

Dai reiterated China's adherence to developing a positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship with the US in the new century, a concept agreed upon by both Chinese President Hu Jintao and US President Barack Obama last April.

US Deputy National Security Advisor Thomas Donilon, calling his team unique and reflective of the nature of the bilateral relationship, echoed Dai's statements by applying "a comprehensive approach to pursue the positive, comprehensive and constructive relationship".

During the talks, both sides expressed a readiness to work together on frequent official contacts, expansions of cooperation and proper handling of disputes to push forward relations in a healthy and stable way.

The US delegation, comprised of economic and diplomatic officials from the Oval Office, and headed by US National Economic Council Chairman Larry Summers and Deputy National Security Adviser Thomas Donilon, journeyed to Beijing on Sept 5 against a background of deteriorating bilateral ties owing to months of tensions - ranging from military issues to concerns over monetary exchange rates.

The envoys brought a message from an Obama who "fully understands the importance of Sino-US ties" and welcomed "a strong, prosperous and successful China playing a greater role in the world."

Sino-US relations have come close to something of a standstill since the beginning of this year. This high-level exchange, however, is widely interpreted as a breakthrough.

"Sound China-US relations are beneficial to both countries and the world at large", Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said atn a news conference on Tuesday.

Chinese analysts are likewise optimistic about what this visit will mean to the greater scope of current China-US relations.

"The two leading figures of this delegation both hold important positions in the White House", said Niu Xinchun, an expert on US studies from China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, adding that they "directly represent the thinking of Obama administration".

Chen Baosen, a researcher with the Institute of American Studies of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, agreed that mutual trust is of "vital importance".

However, he added, it remains too early to predict a completely positive outcome from this dialogue - particularly given the fact that the Obama administration faces pressure at home to take a tough stance on China.