BEIJING - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met visiting California Governor Jerry Brown on Thursday, encouraging the American state to boost its cooperation with China to lay a solid foundation for the development of bilateral relations.

Li hailed the robust growth of Sino-American ties in the past 40-plus years, noting that bilateral relations have entered a transitional period for a new type of partnership featuring mutual respect and benefits.

Exchanges and cooperation between the two nations at various local levels formed an important part of the bilateral relations, he said, citing the facts that California is the biggest economic powerhouse in the United States, home to the biggest population of Chinese in the country, and has unique advantages in combining innovation and education.

"I hope the two sides can step up their cooperation in sectors such as high technology, clean energy, culture and humanity," the Chinese premier added.

Brown said California, a gateway to the Pacific, welcomes more investment and students from China and is committed to promoting friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two nations and the two peoples.