Premier Li Keqiang met with the delegation from the US-China Business Council (USCBC) led by Evan Greenberg, chairman, on Oct 17 in Beijing.

The establishment of USCBC preceded the establishment of China-US relations. Over 40 years, it has exerted an effective role in improving bilateral relations and cooperation, the Premier said.

China and the United States, as the biggest developing country and the biggest developed country in the world, will benefit each other and the world with healthy and stable relations. Therefore, China and the US should tackle issues through dialogue with equality and mutual respect, taking a long-term perspective and a realistic attitude, to push forward the rolling of bilateral trade along the right track, he said.

The Premier expressed hopes that the business and commercial circle of the US can continue playing an active part in promoting bilateral ties and enhancing mutual understanding between the two peoples.

"China's door of opening-up will not be closed, but will only open wider," Premier Li said.

He noted that the country is continuously promoting the opening-up of its service sector, following its manufacturing industry.

China is trying to create a market-oriented, law-based and international business environment that will meet the international advanced level, in which Chinese and foreign-invested enterprises will be treated as equals while property rights and intellectual property rights will be better protected.

As a vast market with a population of 1.4 billion, with consumption constantly upgrading, China has great business opportunities and potential, said the Premier.

"China's development is an opportunity for the world," Premier Li said. "We welcome enterprises around the world, including the United States, to expand investment in China for mutual benefit and win-win results."

The US representatives said the cooperation between the US and China is in the interests of the two countries. The US business community hopes to maintain cooperation with China, and does not expect a trade war and increased tariffs.

They also hoped that the two sides will reach substantial agreements through negotiations and consultations, allowing enterprises of two sides to conduct healthy competition in a fair and stable environment, so as to achieve common development.

He Lifeng, head of the National Development and Reform Commission, also attended the meeting.