Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping shakes hands with U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs James Peake during their meeting in Beijing, Sept. 8, 2008. Peake attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games on Sept. 6.(Xinhua Photo/Rao Aimin) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping on Monday met with the U.S. presidential delegation to the Beijing Paralympics, headed by U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs James Peake.

    Xi welcomed Peake, who said his first trip to Beijing was "an amazing experience" and Saturday's opening ceremony was "magnificent."

    Xi thanked the U.S. government and people for their support of the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics, citing President George W. Bush's attendance at the Olympics' opening ceremony and the high-profile presidential delegation to the Paralympics.

    Peake said, "It is very wonderful to be here to represent President Bush and the United States of America."

    Peake said many members of his delegation had attended several Paralympic games and won gold medals.

    During their half-hour talks in downtown Beijing's Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, Xi also extended condolences to the people affected last week by Hurricane Gustav in the southern United States.

    Millions of people on the U.S. Gulf Coast fled before the arrival of Hurricane Gustav, which left many places without working power, water and sewage systems.

    "I am convinced that the U.S. people will prevail over the hurricane and rebuild the homeland," Xi said.

    On bilateral ties, Xi said China-U.S. relations have kept a generally steady progress over seven years thanks to the efforts of both sides. "We should cherish it as steady ties serve the interests of both nations."

    Xi proposed that both countries should take a strategic and long-term view and maintain their constructive cooperation, according to the statement released by the Foreign Ministry.

    He called for both nations to observe their three joint communiques to enhance dialogue and communication, increase mutual trust and cooperation, properly settle disputes and sensitive issues so as to realize a healthy and robust relationship.

    But he didn't specify what the disputes and sensitive issues were.

    Later on Monday, Xi also met with Ecuador's Vice President Lenin Moreno who led the Ecuadorian delegation to the Paralympics.

    Xi thanked Moreno, who sat in a wheelchair, for Ecuador's support for Beijing's hosting of the two Games.

    Xi reviewed the bilateral ties and pledged to work more closely with Ecuador for mutual benefit.

    Moreno congratulated Xi on Beijing's exceptional Olympics and wished a complete success for the Beijing Paralympics.

    He also appreciated the assistance China has offered to Ecuador in the long run and vowed to cement bilateral ties.