China and the United States are preparing to exchange presidents' visits within the year, according to a press release from China's Foreign Ministry issued Friday.

The release said Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing discussed the issue with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on the phone Friday night.

"They agreed to make good preparations for the two heads of state to visit each other within the year," the release said, adding that "efforts will be made to make sure the visits are successful."

The two also discussed other issues of common concern, the release said.

Vice-Premier Wu Yi Friday told US Ambassador to China Clark Randt that China hopes the trade disputes between the two countries can be solved through consultation.

Wu said China has always believed economic and trade problems should be handled from a strategic perspective and "properly solved through consultation with the principles of equality, mutual-benefit and development."

"We also should avoid mixing economic and trade problems with politics," she told Randt.

Wu said China-US economic and trade co-operation is reciprocal and has resulted in concrete benefits for both sides. "It has also greatly propelled the development of China-US relations."

China and the United States are faced with "great opportunities" to improve and develop bilateral ties, she said, adding that she hoped the two countries would implement the consensus reached by the leaders and further promote bilateral cooperative ties.

Randt said economic co-operation is in the interests of both countries.

He said the United States wants to maintain communication and dialogue with China.

By People's Daily Online