Given the fact that China and the United States have so many differences in political system, history, culture and economic development, the two nations should bear the faith and determination that makes one a true hero to reach the Great Wall, as well as patience and wisdom to test each stone under step to cross a river, Xi said.
He called on the two sides to continuously increase mutual understanding and trust, step up cooperation with mutual benefit, strengthen coordination on important regional and international issues, and promote friendship between the two peoples.
"This year is a pivotal year for the China-U.S. relationship," in the view of Xi, who expressed hope that the United States can eliminate disturbance, always bear the overall and long-term situation in mind and make joint efforts with the Chinese side to maintain the healthy and stable growth of the bilateral relations.
Hillary Clinton said both sides had honest and deep exchanges at the current China-U.S. strategic and economic dialogue, and both sides should adhere to dialogue, expand cooperation, increase mutual trust and jointly cope with various challenges.
The coexistence of interdependence and competition has become a prominent feature of China-U.S. ties, and a long list of global challenges could not be tackled without collaboration between the two nations, said Jia Xiudong, a senior research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies.
Interaction between China and the United States has a great impact on the international situation, so it is necessary for the two sides to discuss establishing a new type of ties in the light of their national interests and the evolution of the world situation, said Jia.
He added the S&ED has exerted an imperceptible influence on the habitual ways in which both sides cope with their differences.
The inclination for dialogue and cooperation, which has been cultivated by the S&ED mechanism, is the fundamental factor for the building of a new type of relation between China and the United States, he stressed.
The 3rd China-U.S. High-level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange was also held on Thursday.
The fourth round of the S&ED started Thursday morning in Beijing.
The dialogue was co-chaired by Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan and State Councilor Dai Bingguo, special representatives of Chinese President Hu Jintao, and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, special representatives of U.S. President Barack Obama.
The S&ED was created in 2009 to help both nations manage their bilateral relations and promote communication.