WASHINGTON - The key to maintaining a stable China-US relationship lies in a mutual respect for each other's core interests, a senior Chinese lawmaker said.

Lu Yongxiang, visiting vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress (NPC), reiterated the position Monday and Tuesday in separate meetings with Daniel K. Inouye, president pro tempore of the US Senate, Senate majority leader Harry Reid and House minority leader Nancy Pelosi.

China and the US currently are striving to foster a cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit, as part of their efforts to implement the consensus reached at the summit between Chinese President Hu Jintao and US President Barack Obama during Hu's visit to the US in January this year, Lu noted.

Maintaining a good China-US relationship not only serves the fundamental interests of both peoples, but also is conducive to world peace, stability and prosperity, Lu said.

The senior Chinese lawmaker reaffirmed that the NPC is willing to strengthen dialogue and exchanges with the US Congress through various channels, including the regular exchange mechanisms and special committee meetings, to further enhance mutual trust, expand consensus and boost cooperation between the two sides.

It's no surprise that China and the United States don't always agree,  given the different social systems, traditional cultures and development levels, Lu told the US congressional leaders.

However, the key to maintaining a stable China-US relationship lies in a mutual respect for each other's cores interests and top concerns, he said.

Lu expressed the hope that the US side will properly handle sensitive issues, including those of Taiwan and Tibet, so as to avoid any potential damage to the overall bilateral relations.

During the meetings, the US Congress leaders agreed that it is very important for the two nations to build a cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit, since it would be in the fundamental interests of the two peoples and be conducive to world's peace, stability and prosperity.

They said that the US Senate and House are willing to carry on frank and pragmatic exchanges and dialogues with the NPC, constantly enhance mutual understanding and trust, and push forward the relations between the two countries steadily.