China and the U.S. have made "important progress" in trade talks, a spokesperson said Monday, demonstrating Beijing's optimism toward easing trade tensions among the world's two largest economies.

The remarks came after a CNN reporter asked Zhang Yesui, a spokesperson for the annual session of China’s national legislature and a former Chinese ambassador to Washington, how China will respond to a recent consensus by U.S. politicians labeling China a “strategic threat.”

"A China-U.S. relationship characterized by conflict and confrontation is in neither side’s interests,” Zhang said. “In addition, using an old ‘Cold War’ mindset to deal with the new problems of a globalized era is certainly no solution."

Zhang added that this year marks the 40th anniversary of China-U.S. diplomatic relations: "I believe that maintaining stability and development in relations between the two countries has brought enormous benefits to the people on both sides.... Cooperation is the best choice for both sides."

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