The strengthening of China-US will benefit the Asia-Pacific region, China's Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday, adding that the two nations can work together to maintain regional stability.

"It is natural that there are some differences between neighbors, but as long as we treat each other with sincerity and seek settlements with diplomatic and peaceful means, we are fully capable of maintaining regional stability," Li said at a press conference following the end of a meeting of the country's top legislature.

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According to Chinese state media, Li also highlighted what "countries from outside the region," like the United States, can do to help promote and maintain peace within the region.

"The US has never left the Asia Pacific, we can cooperate in the Asia-Pacific region and properly handle our differences," he said.

Premier Li emphasized that China has always advocated for peace and stability in its relationship with neighboring countries, even that with the US.

"We will remain committed to the path of peaceful development, but we will not waver in our resolve to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," Li said. "The two are not contradictory."

He expressed optimism that all countries, whether within or outside of the region, "will do more things beneficial to regional stability, rather than the opposite."

China and the U.S. have exchanged a heated rhetoric over the past few months after reports surfaced that Bejing has deployed weaponry to disputed territories in the South China Sea. Washington responded by sending a carrier strike group to patrol the area.

Many experts agree that while there are points of differences between China and the U.S., the common interests of both nations far outweighs them.

President Xi Jinping is likely to attend the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington at the end of this month and will meet with U.S. President Barack Obama, Premier Li announced recently. Analysts say it is likely that the recent developments in the South China Sea will feature prominently in the talks between both leaders.

Tagschina, US, China-US relations, South China Sea Dispute