BEIJING -- Chinese Vice-Premier Wang Qishan urged for US awareness of the harm of politicizing bilateral economic issues, saying such moves will definitely impair the fundamental interests of the two peoples.

Wang made the appeal when meeting a delegation of US governors, who are in Beijing to attend the second China-US Governors Forum.

He said it is necessary to be "clearly aware" that politicizing bilateral economic issues will distort bilateral economic ties, and badly hurt the interests of the two peoples, as global economic situation still remains grim.

The two countries should enhance cooperation with joint efforts to make passage together, properly cope with differences, and make efforts to contribute to the recovery of the global economy, Wang said.

He encouraged the two countries to promote cooperation at local level, and create favorable conditions for cooperation between companies and  organizations of the two countries.

Washington state governor Chris Gregoire, head of the visiting delegation, said the forum has provided the two sides with opportunities for business cooperation.

Investment, trade and tourists from China are warmly welcome in the United States, she added.

A number of Chinese provincial leaders and US governors from Washington, Georgia, Hawaii, North Carolina, Guam and Northern Mariana Islands attended the one-day forum.

China-US Governors Forum is jointly organized by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the National Governors Association (NGA) of the United States. A ground breaking measure to enhance cooperation at the local level between the two countries, it is one of the important achievements during Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to the United States in January.