HONG KONG, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Tung Chee hwa, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said on Friday that a new type of great power relationship between one rising power, China and the present leading power, the United States, is not only possible but also necessary.

Also the founding Chairman of China-United States Exchange Foundation, Tung made the keynote speech on China-U.S. Relations in an Emerging East Asia in Asia-Global Dialogue held here. He said that Chinese history, culture, values and needs explain China 's choice of a peaceful path of development.

As for China-U.S. relations, he said whether it is the prevention of the spread of nuclear weapon, energy security, climate change, global economic recovery, financial stability, prevention of epidemics, fighting drug trafficking and etc., China and the United States find common interest in working together to meet all these and other transnational challenges.

"You would have thought with so much common interests, this important relationship would move forward harmoniously and naturally. But this is unfortunately not always the case, because mistrust still exists between the two countries."

He said the most commonly spoken anxiety is that with the rise of a nation, conflicts with the present leading power may be unavoidable. "But is this true?"

He pointed out that over the last couple years, more and more U. S.-China relations specialists have spoken of a new type of great power relations between the two countries. The fact is that China and the United States do share many common interests and objectives, and this is very different from previous situations.

"China-U.S. relation is not a zero-sum game. I believe a new type of great power relationship between one rising power, China and the present leading power, the United States, is not only possible but also necessary."

"Can this be done quickly? No," Tung said, explaining the two countries have different histories, different cultures, and are at different stages of development. To build understanding and trust would take time.

"Fortunately the leaders of the two countries are very committed to moving the relationship forward; they have committed to increasing people-to-people exchanges at all levels so that understanding and eventually trust can be developed. I believe, over time, peoples of both countries will be able to understand each other better and to push the relationship of the two countries forward."

Tung stressed a good China-U.S. relationship is important for the prosperity of East Asia and the whole Asia-Pacific region. East Asian countries, for their own benefits, need to embrace and support a good China-U.S. relationship.

"The success that East Asia has achieved since the Second World War is astounding. The success also gives us confidence that the best is still to come. But it needs to be emphasized that the key ingredient to growth in this region is the pursuit of peace," he said nations in the whole Asia-Pacific region need to intensify efforts to pursue peace.

The Asia-Global Dialogue was held in Hong Kong on Thursday and Friday, and will be continued in Shenzhen on Saturday, attracting over 400 speakers and high-level delegates from around the world to explore Asia's expanding role in the changing global economy.