Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with representatives of the U.S. business community and other sectors on Saturday in Washington, D.C. and expressed hope that the U.S. business community will foster public support and a social foundation for friendly relations between the two countries.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the impetus for mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the U.S. is still strong.

China is ready to work with the U.S. side to truly follow through on the important consensus reached between the two heads of state and take concrete action to expand the positive agenda of bilateral relations and reduce the negative agenda, Wang said.

He urged both sides to work together to clear the way and overcome impediments in order for the two heads of state to meet in San Francisco.

China appreciates the U.S. business community for overcoming the turbulence in bilateral relations and remaining steadfast in advancing the China-U.S. friendship, Wang said.

Wang urged the U.S. business community to give full play to the role of economic and trade cooperation as the "ballast."

Participants of the meeting said it's encouraging that the dialogue and exchanges at various levels between the U.S. and China are gradually resuming, adding that the two sides' interests are closely intertwined, and a strong U.S.-China relationship is crucial to the success of both countries.

The U.S. business community attaches great importance to China's transition to high-quality development, has full confidence in the Chinese market and supports the two governments to take effective measures to facilitate personnel exchanges, they said.

They also looked forward to expanding bilateral cooperation in economy and trade, science and technology, innovation and climate change to bring more benefits to their people.

Wang also talked about the prospects of China's economic development and the positive steps the country has taken in areas including market access and intellectual property protection.

(With input from Xinhua)