Li: China, US should focus on 'common ground'

China and the United States should focus on their common ground and expand converging interests, Premier Li Keqiang said on Thursday at a news conference after the closing of the annual session of the National People's Congress..

As the world's largest developing and developed countries, both countries stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation, Li said.

China hopes the two countries will respect each other's interests and major concerns, refrain from interfering in each other's internal affairs and strive for sustained and healthy development of bilateral ties in keeping with the principle of no conflicts, no confrontations, mutual respect and win-win cooperation, Li said, adding it is in the interests of both peoples and also what the international community expects.

Li called for dialogue and exchanges in multiple areas and at various levels based on mutual respect and equality to boost mutual trust, dispel misunderstandings and help manage and mitigate differences.

"We hope the China-US relationship will be future-oriented, overcome obstacles and move in a positive direction," he added.