Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed the role of people in China-U.S. relations at a welcome dinner in San Francisco on Wednesday local time.

"The foundation of China-U.S. relations was laid by our peoples," Xi said, stressing that "the door of China-U.S. relations was opened by our peoples," "the stories of China-U.S. relations are written by our peoples," and "the future of China-U.S. relations will be created by our peoples."

The Chinese president said he was convinced the door of China-U.S. relations cannot be shut again once opened and the cause of China-U.S. friendship cannot be derailed halfway once started.

"We should build more bridges and pave more roads for people-to-people interactions. We must not erect barriers or create a chilling effect," he said.

He added that China and the U.S. will roll out more measures to facilitate travel and promote people-to-people exchanges, including increasing direct passenger flights, holding a high-level dialogue on tourism, and streamlining visa application procedures.

He also said that pandas have long been envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples.

A week ago, giant pandas Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and their male cub, Xiao Qi Ji, at Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington D.C. have returned to China. Mei Xiang and Tian Tian arrived in the U.S. 23 years ago and bred four cubs there.

"I was told that many American people, especially children, were really reluctant to say goodbye to the pandas, and went to the zoo to see them off," Xi said, adding that China is ready to continue the cooperation with the U.S. on panda conservation.

"For any great cause to succeed, it must take root in the people, gain strength from the people, and be accomplished by the people. Growing China-U.S. friendship is such a great cause," he said. 

(With input from Xinhua)