Premier Li Keqiang talks with a group of leading figures in the United States' financial, think-tank and media circles in New York, Sept 20, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

 The US participants agreed that China-US relations are one of the most important bilateral ties in the world. As both countries share extensive common interests and have a strong willingness to develop ties, the two sides should enhance cooperation in areas including politics, economics and trade, and people-to-people exchanges so as to build a robust and close bilateral relationship.

The attendants spoke highly of the reform measures put forward by the Chinese government, saying they are ready to take part in those reforms and further expand cooperation with China in hope of contributing more to the development of bilateral ties.

The gathering came one day after the Chinese premier met in New York with US President Barack Obama. In that meeting, Li called for concerted efforts to promote economic and trade ties between the world's top two economies.

Enhancing China-US cooperation accords with the fundamental interests of the two peoples and the shared hope of the international community, he said, expressing China's willingness to deepen bilateral, regional and global cooperation in a variety of fields.

Obama, for his part, reiterated that his country supports China's reform process and hoped that the two sides can make further progress in BIT talks.

Li is scheduled to attend the general debate of the 71st session of the UN General Assembly on Wednesday before heading to Canada to continue his America trip, which will also take him to Cuba.