The United State called for closer cooperation with China to secure world peace and stability, US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte told a news conference in Beijing Sunday.

US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte speaks during a news conference in Beijing March 4, 2007. [Chinadaily.com.cn]

During his first visit to China from March 3, Negroponte met with China's State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing and other officials, and briefed the press in the US embassy.

The United States encourages China to play a responsible role on the international stage, Negroponte told the press, saying the US seeks to work cooperatively with China in this regard which benefits the two countries as well as the rest of the world.

Appraising China's leadership role in the six-party talks, he said China has a "particularly important responsibility" on the North Korea nuclear issue.

Negroponte defended his stand on the approval of sales of up to $421 million in missiles to Taiwan earlier this week, despite China's repeated opposition.

Talks on Trade imbalance between China and the United States remained high on the agenda of Negroponte's China tour. He said the US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson will make his third visit to China next week to address this issue.

"Trade between the United States and China has grown dramatically, and China was US' fastest growing export market last year," Negroponte said, conceding that trade imbalance between the two economies "appears to be improving."

Asked about the US attitude of China's military buildup, he called on Chinese militaries and the Pentagon officials to strengthen dialogues so that the two sides have better mutual understandings.