Clinton calls for deepening US-China ties

WASHINGTON - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Thursday offered "best wishes" to the Chinese people on the 63rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, while calling for deepening the bilateral ties.

"On behalf of President (Barack) Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes to the people of China as you celebrate your National Day this October 1," Clinton said in a statement issued by the State Department.

The top US diplomat noted that the two countries "share close ties between our students, business leaders, scientists and scholars, and their ideas, talent and energy strengthen our cooperation in ways large and small."

"As we continue to expand our work on the consequential issues of our time, we must continue to build on this historic opportunity to deepen our relationship, because a thriving China is good for America and a thriving America is good for China," she said.

"As you celebrate this day with family, friends and loved ones, I wish the people of China continued prosperity and a joyous National Day," she added.

Also on Thursday, the Chinese embassy to the United States held a reception for Chinese Americans to celebrate the National Day during which Ambassador Zhang Yesui applauded "new progress" achieved in the development of the China-US relationship this year.

"Since the start of this year, the two countries have maintained close high-level exchanges and high-quality dialogues and consultations, continued to deepen cooperation on a wide range of areas, and kept close and effective communication and coordination on major regional and global issues," Zhang said in a speech.

The ambassador stressed that as long as both sides are firmly committed to showing mutual respect, deepening mutual trust, enhancing cooperation and dealing properly with differences and sensitive issues, "China and the US absolutely can embark on a new type of relationship between major powers."