Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo held an unofficial meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Saturday evening in Sanya, a city of southern China's island province of Hainan.

The two sides exchanged views on Sino-U.S. relations and issues of common concern in a "candid and friendly" manner, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said after the meeting.

According to the ministry, Dai and Clinton had positive evaluation of recent Sino-U.S. relations, and stressed the two sides would continue to seriously implement the consensus reached by the two state leaders.

They pledged to enhance dialogue, mutual trust and cooperation, properly handle differences and sensitive issues on the basis of mutual respect, and make concerted efforts to contribute to a positive, cooperative and comprehensive China-U.S. relationship in the 21st century.

They also agreed that Chinese President Hu Jintao's scheduled visit to the United States early next year is of great significance to the development of bilateral ties, and the two sides would keep close contact and make preparations to create favorable atmosphere and ensure the success of the visit.

(Xinhua News Agency October 30, 2010)