Developing sound bilateral relations requires the U.S. to meet China halfway and China's attitude towards developing healthy, stable and constructive China-U.S. relations remains unchanged, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang said on Saturday.

Qin made the remarks when meeting with visiting representatives from American friendly organizations and business communities in Beijing.

Welcoming their visit during springtime, Qin said China will continue to advance high-level opening up and China's economy is ushering in a strong recovery, which is a boon for the American business community.

China-U.S. relations are the most important bilateral relations in the world, Qin noted, adding that a good relationship between the two countries will benefit the whole world.

China always upholds mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation between the two countries, Qin said.

The foreign minister expressed hope that the U.S. would abandon a zero-sum mentality and stop using all means to contain and suppress China.

He called on the U.S. to work with China to overcome the current challenges and go back to a healthy and stable track.

China welcomes American enterprises to continue expanding investment in China, he said, adding that the Chinese side is willing to provide a good business environment for enterprises from all over the world, including American enterprises.

For their part, representatives hailed the vitality and vigor of China's economic and social development, adding that they deeply felt the Chinese people's expectation for the development of bilateral relations.

The two countries are interdependent and the current U.S.-China relations are at a critical period, said the representatives.

The American business community supports the healthy development and stability of U.S.-China relations, and is committed to preventing the two countries from falling into a vicious circle of mutual isolation and conflicts, they said.

They also called for increasing face-to-face contact between the two countries, further expanding the number of U.S.-China flights to promote exchanges in various fields and deepen cooperation in economy and trade and investment.

(CGTN reporter Wang Siwen contributed to the story.)

(Cover: Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang addresses a meeting with visiting representatives from American organizations and businesses in Beijing, China, March 25, 2023. /Chinese Foreign Ministry)