China says hopes ties with Obama's U.S. deepen

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi attends the Clinton Global Initiative Asia Meeting in Hong Kong December 2, 2008.

LISBON (Reuters) - China hopes to deepen ties with the United States under President Barack Obama, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said on Wednesday.

"In this new phase of history, the two countries should continue to evaluate and treat the bilateral relationship from a strategic and long-term point of view," Yang told reporters in Portugal.

Yang said they should aim at "deepening the dialogue and exchange" between the two countries, adding: "The two sides should pay attention to the fundamental concerns on both sides and work to develop relations between the two."

Obama took office on Tuesday. Web sites in China censored references to communism and dissent in his inauguration speech.

"Recall that earlier generations faced down communism and fascism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions," Obama said in the speech.

Chinese state media urged the new U.S. president not to ignore progress under George W. Bush, saying the former president had created a strong foundation for ties between the world's largest developing country and the world's richest nation.

(Reporting by Shrikesh Laxmidas; writing by Axel Bugge; editing by Janet Lawrence)