BEIJING, May 16 (Xinhua) -- A senior Chinese official on Friday called on businesses of China and the United States to strengthen cooperation and contribute to economic growth of the two countries.

    Du Qinglin, head of the United Front Work Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, made the remarks in a meeting with a U.S. economic delegation composed of ten mayors in California, headed by Chinese American John Wuo, mayor of Arcadia.

    Du hailed the generally good momentum of Sino-U.S. relations, saying he hoped the enterprises of both sides would further promote technological exchanges and cooperation to contribute to the economic development of both countries.

    Du, also vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top political advisory body, briefed the U.S. guests on China's relief work on the quake disaster in Sichuan Province and expressed his appreciation of the U.S. guests' concerns over the disaster.

    He said the Chinese government and people would definitely get through the disaster with both their own efforts and international support.

    Wuo said he was deeply worried about the massive quake, and he believed Chinese government could overcome the disaster and reconstruct the quake-hit areas.

    He also said he was proud of the 29th Olympic Games to be held in Beijing in August, a great event of the world people.