A senior Chinese leader on Tuesday said China and the United States should advance dialogue and cooperation to boost bilateral ties.

Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, told former U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich he expected the two nations to advance dialogue and cooperation, governmental and non-governmental, for a positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship.

Gingrich is leading an 11-member delegation of the American Foreign Policy Council on a 10-day China visit.

Jia reviewed three decades of the China-U.S. relationship, saying it was one of the world's most important and dynamic bilateral ties.

As the world was undergoing tremendous change and adjustment, Jia said, both nations had a great responsibility for world peace and development, and also shared extensive interests.

Gingrich said because of the deep global economic downturn and a U. S. economy undergoing transformation, the United States should step up cooperation with China and jointly tackle various challenges for prosperity and development in both countries and the world.

Grinrich hailed New China's achievements during the past 60 years since it was founded in 1949, saying the next 60 years would be "amazing."

Besides Beijing, Grinrich and his delegation are also to travel to northeastern China's Jilin and Liaoning provinces.

(Xinhua News Agency August 25, 2009)