BEIJING - Vice-Premier Wang Qishan called for greater mutual understanding and bilateral cooperation with the United States on Monday as he met with former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

Wang hailed Kissinger's commitment to the improvement of China-US relations during their talks. Kissinger made a secret trip to China in July 1971 and paved the way for renewed ties between China and the United States.

"Despite ups and downs over the past 40 years, bilateral ties have been advancing in general between China and the United States," Wang said.

The two economies are mutually complementary and interdependent, Wang said, adding that China and the United States should make joint efforts to build a comprehensive and mutually beneficial economic partnership rather than politicize economic issues between the two countries.

For his part, Kissinger pledged to continue his work to advance US-China cooperation and make a contribution to the development of the bilateral ties.

Kissinger is in Beijing in part to mark the 40th anniversary of his first China visit, which laid the groundwork for then US President Richard Nixon's groundbreaking visit to China in 1972 and the later establishment of China-U.S diplomatic relations.