China-U.S. business ties getting closer: premier

BEIJING, March 15 -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Sunday that China-U.S. business ties will get even closer and enhance the overall bilateral relations more steadily.

There are differences between China and the United States, but it is more important that the two countries have extensive shared interests, Li said.

"When differences are properly handled, the two sides can have more extra energy to further expand the convergence of interests," he said.

One highlight in the China-U.S. relationship is that the two sides are advancing negotiations on a bilateral investment treaty which is built on the pre-establishment of national treatment and the negative-lists management.

"This is to break the ceiling over China-U.S. business cooperation and open up more new dimensions for the further growth of China-U.S. ties," the premier said.

The negotiations will take some time, but have already sent out a very clear message to the world that China-U.S. business ties will get even closer, he said at a press conference after the conclusion of the annual legislative session.