Premier Wen meets Kissinger amid inaugural China-U.S. dialogue among retired diplomats

BEIJING, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Monday met with former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger on seeking stronger bilateral relations.

"Three-decade of China-U.S. relations have proved: both countries benefited from collaboration while got hurt from confrontation; they advanced together thanks to trust or set back when they doubted each other," Wen told Kissinger Monday afternoon.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R5, front) poses with delegates of the inaugural  China-US Track Two High Level Dialogue in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 12,  2009.(Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

Kissinger and his delegation came to Beijing for the inaugural China-U.S. Track Two High-Level Dialogue, which gathered dozens of retired eminent diplomats and officials from both countries.

Former State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan led the Chinese side while the U.S. delegation included former Secretary of State George P. Shultz, former defense chief William Perry and ex Treasury chief Robert Rubin.

Wen said the global financial crisis had exercised a profound impact on world politics and economy.

"It is an arduous task to maintain the sound and stable growth of China-U.S. ties, which require the vision and courage of leaders of both countries as well as the wisdom and support of people of various circles," Wen said.

Wen praised the contribution Kissinger and other retired U.S. officials made to bilateral relations. He expected them, by making use of Track Two dialogue, to play a positive role for mutual trust and cooperation between both nations.

Kissinger and other delegation members said it was the consensus of both U.S. Republic and Democratic to develop ties with China. They said three-decade of diplomatic ties showed that the relationship had a global impact.

They would like to use the Track Two as a platform to make more contribution to deepening understanding, trust and cooperation between the United States and China.