China and the United States should stick to developing a relationship defined by no conflict, no confrontation with mutual respect and win-win cooperation, said Zhang Yesui, spokesman for the third session of the 13th National People's Congress.

In a news conference livestreamed on Thursday night, Zhang said China-US ties are at a critical stage.

It will help the two countries cooperate, including on regional and global issues, if the US respects China's social system and development path, views rationally China's development and strategic intentions and commits to having constructive talks with China, Zhang said.

The US will hurt others and itself, however, if it sticks to a Cold-War mentality and a strategy of containment against China, and undermines China's core and major interests, he added.

History has made it abundantly clear time and again that both countries stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation, he said, adding cooperation is the only right choice for both sides.

The two countries should give top priority to cooperation on fighting against COVID-19 and bringing the economy back on track, Zhang pointed out.

China hopes the US will work with it to implement the important consensuses the two countries' heads of state have reached, enhance mutual trust, expand cooperation and address their differences properly, he said.