The Chinese premier stressed the importance of ties with America at a meeting with the U.S. president on Wednesday, but played down suggestions of a new alliance between the two world powers.

Western analysts have referred to the likely emergence of a Beijing-Washington 'G2' link-up, to jointly lead world affairs.

However, the China Daily quoted Wen Jibao as saying during his meeting with the visiting Barack Obama that China will continue to pursue an independent foreign policy, outside international blocs.

However, he said: "we believe Sino-U.S. cooperation can play a unique role in advancing the establishment of the new international political and economic order, as well as promoting world peace, stability and prosperity."

Obama is currently on a week-long East Asian tour, and left for South Korea Wednesday.

On Tuesday he met with Chinese President Hu Jintao for talks focusing on trade, climate change, and North Korea's nuclear program. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Obama stressed the importance of China's role in tackling global challenges.

"The major challenges of the 21st Century from climate change to nuclear proliferation to economic recovery are challenges that touch both our nations, and challenges that neither of our nations can solve by acting alone," he said.

Chinese media said that the country's president and premier both raised the issue of the trade imbalance with the United States at talks with Obama. China exports far more to the U.S. than vice versa, and Washington currently has a debt to Beijing of around $800 billion.

BEIJING, November 18 (RIA Novosti)