A day before Baucus' speech, Chinese Ambassador to the US Cui Tiankai called for open dialogue between the two nations to handle their differences and avoid disruptions in the overall relationship.

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Both sides have to be "frank and direct in discussing differences, and constructive and pragmatic in managing them," said Cui in a speech at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington. "We have to be careful that we never lose sight of the big picture and do not give anyone the illusion that they could take advantage of and manipulate our differences."

In his speech, Cui used the Chinese word weiji for crisis. That word combines the characters: wei,meaning danger, and ji,meaning opportunity.

"The key to avoiding crisis is to turn dangers into opportunities for cooperation," he said. "And the concept is particularly true for managing the relations between the US and China."

"If members of the international community have the vision, wisdom, determination and will to work together, we'll be able to seize the opportunities and make a better world for all. If not, we'll probably be overwhelmed, and all of us may end up as losers," he said.

Cui noted that the new relationship model between the US and China stresses mutual respect toward differences. He said such respect is a reciprocal process and a two-way street.

"A positive approach will have a positive response and a negative attitude probably will get something similar, so you reap what you sow," Cui said.

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