A photo taken on March 1, 2016 shows Chinese state councilor Yang Jiechi in Beijing. [Photo: Xinhua]

Chinese state councilor Yang Jiechi on Tuesday called on China and the United States to stick to the direction of building a new model of major-country relations to ensure continued, steady and healthy development of China-U.S. relations.

Yang made the remarks at a reception marking the 10th anniversary of Brookings-Tsinghua Center for Public Policy in Beijing.

Yang said China unswervingly adheres to the path of peaceful development, and works to build a new model of international relations with win-win cooperation as its core as well as to create a community of common destiny for all mankind.

Calling the year of 2016 a key year serving as a link between past and future of the bilateral ties, Yang said the two countries need to enhance mutual understanding, focus on cooperation and manage differences so as to ensure the continued, steady and healthy development of bilateral ties.

He also called for the academic circles to make contribution.