by Xinhua writer Luo Jingjing

NEW YORK, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- The ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China should be resolved by collaborative efforts from both sides, said a U.S. state legislator.

Washington and Beijing established diplomatic relations 40 years ago, showing the significance of sincere exchanges, mutual understanding and collaborative efforts in improving people's lives in the two countries, said William Colton, New York State Assemblyman, in a recent interview with Xinhua.

"The communication started 40 years ago between the two nations paved the path towards working together and making the world a better place for everybody," said Colton.

The key to alleviating the trade tensions between China and the United States is communication, said Colton. "It's a matter of working together to come up with a better solution."

"Instead of making threats and keeping the perception that we had in the past, if we try to look at the disagreements from each other's point of view and to talk, we will be able to find a solution that benefits everyone," he said.

"That's the lesson I learned from dealing with my constituents in my district," he added.

Colton was elected to the New York State Assembly in 1996, representing the 47th District, which comprises the neighborhoods of Bensonhurst, Gravesend, Batch Beach, Dyker Heights and Midwood, where a large number of immigrants from all over the world live.

"My district is like a model of that big picture (of U.S.-China relations)," he said, noting that frank communication and reciprocity are crucial for the sake of the two countries and their people.

Colton visited China about eight or nine years ago, and he thought the country was quite different from how it was portrayed by the West, and its culture, history and tradition were rarely known by Americans.

"China is a great country. And the more people find out about it, the more they will realize how great China is," he added.

China and the United States held vice-ministerial-level talks on economic and trade issues in Beijing earlier this month, which was the latest round of efforts made by the two countries to solve their economic and trade frictions.

Colton attended a forum jointly held by New York State Assembly and American Chinese Commerce Association on Saturday. He also noted on the occasion that relations between China and the United States are facing difficulties, but through communication and joint efforts, people in the two countries will be able to overcome misunderstandings, confusions and policy disagreements to make this world a better place for everyone.

Distance and misunderstanding create tensions at all levels and all aspects, and that is where communication and working together come into play, said Colton.