On the afternoon of March 25, 2013, Premier Li Keqiang of the State Council met with former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger at the Great Hall of the People.

Premier Li said that entering the new century, the international situation is undergoing profound and complex changes; global challenges are increasing; a new international balance of power is developing. The international community can only increase consensus through consultations and can only achieve a win-win situation and peace through cooperation. After 40 years of development, the interests of China and the U.S. are interlinked. The depth and breadth of China-U.S. cooperation and its global impact were unprecedented. China is ready to work with the U.S. to develop a new type of relations between big powers different from the history so that the people of the two countries can share more of the fruits of cooperation and the two countries can play their due role in maintaining world peace.

Li pointed out that to make China-U.S. relations go farther and get firmer with every step requires the participation and support of different communities, especially the people. Both sides may take flexible approaches to allow more people to become participants, builders, beneficiaries of China-U.S. relations so as to bring together new driving forces for the development of bilateral relations.

Kissinger said the U.S.-China relationship is critical to world peace and progress and there must be long-term planning. The two sides need to strengthen communication and exchanges and promote better development of bilateral relations.

Xiao Jie, Deputy Secretary General of the State Council and Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui were present at the meeting.