BEIJING, May 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping said here Monday that China is ready to make joint efforts with the United States to promote the lasting and steady development of Sino-U.S. relations.

Xi made the remarks in a meeting with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte. He said the Chinese government attaches great importance to Sino-U.S. relations.

"China and the U.S., both influential countries in the world, have shared increased common responsibility and interests and increased necessity to strengthen cooperation between each other," Xi said.

He said China is ready to make joint efforts with the United States to strengthen dialogue, exchanges and cooperation, and properly handle differences and sensitive issues, so as to ensure the lasting and stable development of bilateral ties that benefit the peoples of the two countries and the people around the world.

Xi explained the Chinese government's stance and policies on the Taiwan issue and that involving Tibet, saying he hoped the U.S. side would cautiously and properly handle related issues to safeguard the friendship between the two peoples and the momentum of bilateral ties.

He also briefed the U.S. guests on the preparations for the Beijing Olympics and expressed his appreciation of the U.S. government's support to the Olympics and opposition to politicizing the Olympics.

He said the Chinese government and people have the confidence and capability to hold a successful Olympics with high-level and special flavor.

Negroponte told Xi that he believed it was in the interests of the United States to strengthen cooperation with China and the U.S would devote itself to promoting the U.S.-China relations, no matter which party was ruling the country.

He reiterated that the U.S. adhered to the one-China policy and followed the three joint communiques, adding the U.S. recognized that Tibet is a part of the Chinese territory and opposed "Tibet independence", and wished the Beijing Olympics a success.

Negroponte also expressed his sympathy to China on the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that jolted Wenchuan in southwestern Sichuan Province at 2:28 p.m. Monday.

Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi also met or held talks with Negroponte on Monday.

Source: Xinhua