Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright spoke highly of bilateral ties during their meeting in Beijing on Thursday.

Sino-US relations are coming along steadily and a constructive and cooperative partnership between the two sides is developing, Tang said.

Tang said that economic and trade cooperation has been highly beneficial to both countries.

Both sides should handle economic and trade issues with balanced dialogue and friendly negotiation, respecting each other's concerns, and resolving differences, Tang said.

Albright echoed Tang's views, saying that US-Sino relations are "very important" and are currently in a good state.

Bilateral economic and trade cooperation, which has been expanding steadily, benefits both countries, she agreed.

Albright is in China at the invitation of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs.

(Xinhua News Agnecy February 17, 2006)