Shi Guangsheng, Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (MOFTEC), said Tuesday that the Sino-US economic cooperation should be grounded on "mutual understanding and trust" and be carried out with an active and practical attitude based on equal consultation.

Shi held talks with Robert Zoellick, Trade Representative of the United States, who is in Shanghai to attend the APEC Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) due to open Wednesday.

The two sides expressed satisfaction with their dialogues and cooperation within APEC, and agreed to make concerted efforts for the promotion of multilateral cooperation among APEC members and push forward the early launching of a new round of World Trade Organization (WTO) multilateral talks.

The two trade officials also reviewed the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries in recent years.

Shi, also chairman of 2001 APEC MRT Meeting, said that it is to the interests of both China and the United States to develop a steady and healthy economic and trade relationship.

Zoellick said that the U.S. government values the promotion of economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. Despite differences, the two countries share a lot of common interest, he added. He noted the U.S. side is willing to push forward the growth of bilateral economic ties.

During the talks, they also exchanged views on China's accession to the WTO and other issues of mutual interest.

(Xinhua 06/06/2001)