Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Monday pledged to maintain and promote peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

"The two sides agreed to jointly preserve and promote the hard-won peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region," according to a press release by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Dai and Clinton also exchanged in-depth views on bilateral ties and issues of common concern, such as the Korean Peninsular situation, during an informal meeting in Shenzhen.

During the meeting, the two sides agreed to cooperate on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit, and jointly expand cooperation in various fields, said the release.

The two sides also agreed to respect each other's major interests and concern, properly handle differences and strengthen strategic mutual trust, it said.

Dai reiterated China's stance on issues related to Taiwan and Tibet.

Both sides regarded the meeting as fruitful and decided to keep close contact in various forms so to exchange views on Sino-U.S. ties and issues of common concern at any time, according to the press release.

(Xinhua News Agency July 25, 2011)