BEIJING - Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Tuesday called on the United States to "cautiously and properly" handle issues related to China's core interests such as those related to Taiwan and Tibet.

To develop China-US relations, both countries should always stick to the principles laid down in the three Sino-US joint communiques and the Sino-US joint statement, and respect each other's core interests and major concerns, Yang said at a press conference held on the sidelines of the national legislature's annual session.

The minister said although there are some differences and disagreements between China and the US, on the whole the Sino-US relationshop has been moving foreward rather than backward.

Yang said that China and the US should continue to enhance communications and coordination through such platforms as high-level mutual visits and Sino-US strategic and economic dialogues.

He suggested that the two countries should work together to increase strategic mutual trust, remove barriers and disturbances and open up new prospects for such two big countries to embrace healthy interactions and win-win cooperation.

"China and the US have more converging interests in the Asia-Pacific region than anywhere else in the world...We hope to see and welcome a constructive role by the US in this region, and at the same time, we hope that the US side will respect China's interests and concerns," Yang said.

"We are ready to work with the US and other countries in this region to develop an Asia-Pacific region that enjoys greater stability and development," he said.