Hu Jintao says China-US ties should be pushed to higher level

Chinese President Hu Jintao Sunday said the China-US constructive and cooperative ties should be pushed to a higher level.

When meeting with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Hu said the China-US relations have been improved and developed in the past four years and the two countries should further strengthen dialogue and cooperation, and enhance mutual trust.

Rice said the US government attaches great importance to growing and developing US-China constructive and cooperative ties, and people around the world are watching the "remarkable transformation" that is going on in China.

She said the United States is ready to join hands with China in exploring new cooperation fields and to further boost their relations.

Rice arrived here earlier Sunday as guest of Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing.