CRI听力:10th US- China Political Party Dialogue held in Beijing

At the opening session of the 10th US-China Political Party Dialogue, Song Tao, head of the CPC's International Department, says the high-level meeting is well-timed.

Song Tao says China and the US now have more room to cooperate following the successful conclusion of the 19th CPC National Congress:

"It was heralded at the 19th CPC National Congress that socialism with Chinese characteristics has entered a new era. This brings more development opportunities for the China-US relationship. We have more common ground such as strengthening balanced social development, enhancing the building of democracy and law-based governance, promoting green development and ensuring public safety. The new context calls for deepened exchanges from the two sides."

Former independent candidate for US President, Ross Perot, is now the chair of the EastWest Institute, an NGO that co-organizes the inter-party event with the International Department of CPC.

He says the dialogue is a significant platform for the two sides to stand together and address global challenges:

"I firmly believe that our mission in more than ever, continued communication between the political parties of the United States and China is critical to align the both sides to work together and tackle global and regional challenges of the 21st century."

Former governor of the US State of Maryland, Martin O'Malley, says while the two sides have differences, the talks help with creating a new level of understanding.

"If it's not about relationship it's not about anything. Were it not for our differences, there would be no need for relationship and at the same time, were it not for the differences, there would be not for the creativity that is necessary for us to give our children a safer world a better world a world with more opportunities rather than less.

Some 50 people from the two countries, including party officials as well as academics, have attended the talks.

The US-China Political Party Leaders Dialogue was launched in 2010 and is held alternatively in China and the US.