While the strategic significance of Sino-US relations has been growing from strength to strength, China and the United States have shouldered constantly increasing international responsibilities.

With respect to solidifying the important consensus reached by Chinese and US leaders I believe efforts to enhance bilateral relations should concentrate on three aspects: communication through open dialog, expanding cooperation and proper handling of sensitive questions.

For quite some time, there have been differing opinions inside the United States on the orientation of China's domestic and foreign policies. The mainstream opinion believes China's development is inevitable and stability and progress in Sino-US relations are in the interest of the United States. Other commentators in the US believe China's development and growing power will damage US interests.

We have said before that China will not step from its path of peaceful development. This is not only determined by China's national nature. It is also a cultural tradition of the people of China who believe peace is precious and harmony can be found in differences. China will not deviate from this historic attitude.

High-level exchanges and contacts are important for China and the United States if they are to enhance mutual trust and promote bilateral relations. In 2005 leaders of the two countries have held three meetings, including the US President Bush's just concluded visit to China. It is believed that, Sino-US relations will be further pushed forward by open communication, which will increase trust and reduce doubt.

Continuing and improving academic and cultural exchanges between Chinese and American people will also improve their understanding and friendship. This is the social foundation for the development of Sino-US relations. The two countries should continue to promote exchanges and cooperation.

Expanding cooperation between the two countries by concentrating on areas of common interest not only helps keep the Sino-US relations stable, but will inject powerful impetus for development in other areas.

The two countries should deepen cooperation in counter-terrorism, the prevention of nuclear proliferation and reforms of the United Nations. Both China and the United States are influential powers in Asia and the Pacific region. China respects the nterest of the United States in the region and welcomes its positive and constructive role. The two sides should boost trade and investment in both country while exploiting new fields of cooperation in finance, fiscal affairs, civil aviation, service trades and environmental protection. As China and the United States are both major energy producers and consumers, there is a huge potential for the two countries to conduct cooperation in the field of energy research.

Cooperation between China and the Untied States in the prevention and control of infectious diseases including the bird flu and HIV/AIDS will help maintain the security and well-being of the entire world.

Properly handing differences and sensitive questions, and maintaining the stability of Sino-US ties is also extremely important.

The Taiwan question is China's biggest concern. President Bush has reiterated many times that the United States will stick to its one-China policy, observe the three Sino-US joint communiques and opposes to Taiwan independence, to which China expresses appreciation.

China remains deeply concerned the US may sell advanced weaponry to Taiwan and strengthening contacts with the Taiwan military. These are wrong signals to Taiwan separatist force and of do not help stability in the Taiwan Strait. China hopes the United States will not give "Taiwan independence" force any chances.

Over the course of its development it is inevitable that Sino-US trade relations will encounter friction and disputes. It is important not to magnify or politicize financial and economic issues. The two sides should properly handle and deal with each other's concerns through dialog and negotiation that are based on equality, mutual benefit and common development.

History has made clear to all that when judging and handling Sino-US relations, one should proceed from the perspective of the world. Strengthening Sino-US cooperation not only conforms to common expectations and the fundamental interest of the two peoples, it will also encourage peace, stability and prosperity of the world as a whole.

This article appeared on the front page of People Daily Overseas Edition, Nov. 21, is written by former Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen, and was translated by People's Daily Online