Washington urged to strive for closer ties

Chinese President Rong Yiren yesterday urged the United States to seek closer ties on the basis of mutual respect and equality.

He made the remarks at a meeting with former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger and his wife in Beijing.

Mr Rong, who met Mr Kissinger for the second time this year, said China and the US still shared many common interests in the new world order.

Xinhua (the New China News Agency) said Mr Kissinger, who will attend a Beijing forum on the 21st century today, also hoped both countries would seek better ties.