Premier Li Keqiang, who also meet with US representatives, said China is willing to promote a continuous, healthy and stable bilateral relationship with the US by strengthening strategic mutual trust, expanding channels for cooperation, promoting people-to-people exchanges and managing differences constructively.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said this round of the dialogue is the last one for the Obama administration, and it has special significance.

"The US-China relationship is absolutely vital — it may well be the most consequential bilateral relationship for nations in the world," Kerry said. He added that the strategic and economic dialogue is an essential mechanism for both countries to manage differences and expand cooperation.

Zhiqun Zhu, associate professor of political science and international relations and John D. MacArthur, chair of East Asia politics at Bucknell University in the US, said the dialogue contributes to the growing maturity of the relationship and sets the basic tone for cooperation between the two countries.

No matter who the next US president is, such crucial dialogue mechanisms must be maintained to ensure stability and continuity of the relationship, he said.

Contact the writer at anbaijie@chinadaily.com.cn