Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has said that the United States and his country should not see each other as a threat, but instead should hold in-depth discussions to strengthen bi-lateral relations and work together to tackle the global economic crisis.

Speaking at a meeting with Lawrence Summers, head of U.S. President Barack Obama's National Economic Council, and Deputy National Security Adviser Tom Donilon, Wan said a positive, cooperative and comprehensive China-U.S. relationship is in the fundamental interests of the two countries, and should be promoted unswervingly.

"China and the US should not treat each other as rivals. Deepened political trust, strengthened bilateral and multilateral cooperation and a harmonious atmosphere are key to bilateral ties," China Daily quoted Wan, as saying.

"China and the US should work together to tackle the global financial crisis and promote a stable world economic recovery," he added.

In an earlier meeting with his American guests, State Councilor Dai Bingguo also said: "Strategic trust is the basis of China-US cooperation".

Dai reiterated China's adherence to developing a positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship with the US in the new century, a concept agreed upon by both Chinese President Hu Jintao and US President Barack Obama last April.

The US delegation, comprising of economic and diplomatic officials from the Oval Office, and headed by US National Economic Council Chairman Larry Summers and Deputy National Security Adviser Thomas Donilon, is on a visit to China from September 5 against a background of deteriorating bilateral ties owing to months of tensions, ranging from military issues to concerns over monetary exchange rates. (ANI)