China and the United States agreed in Beijing on Tuesday to step up bilateral constructive and cooperative relations and handle the bilateral ties "in a long-term and strategic perspective".

The agreement was reached in a meeting between Chinese President Hu Jintao and visiting United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. The two sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues, such as the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.

Hu applauded the growth of Sino-US relations in the recent years and said the bilateral cooperation and the international coordination in such fields as anti-terrorism, trade, energy and environmental protection, among others, were "effective outcomes".

He spoke positively on the strategic dialogue and strategic economic dialogue mechanism forged between the two nations, highlighting the recent development of exchange and cooperation between the two country's militaries.

"The cooperation arena keeps expanding and the strategic significance of the bilateral ties grow higher and higher."

Hu said 2008 was a highly-important year for China and the United States, proposing the two countries continue to intensify dialogue and cooperation with aim to increase mutual understanding and trust, as well as to address the bilateral issues to their key concerns.

Rice said the two nations shared a solid foundation to foster ties, expressing her appreciation to the efforts China had made to resolve international issues, such as in Darfur.

The United States hopes to see China to continue playing a constructive role in addressing international issues and remaining committed to promoting dialogue and cooperation with China in various fields, Rice said, according to a press release from the Chinese Foreign Ministry after the meeting.

Rice arrived in Beijing on Tuesday morning for a two-day visit as a guest of Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi.

(Xinhua News Agency February 27, 2008)