WASHINGTON, Feb. 6 -- Chinese Ambassador to the United States Cui Tiankai said here Wednesday that China and the United States should properly handle differences.

Addressing the reception for the 40th Anniversary of China-U.S. diplomatic relations and the Chinese New Year at the Chinese embassy, Cui acknowledged the differences between China and the United States in history, culture and social system, but said both countries should "not be intimidated by those differences."

"We need to respect each other's independent choice of social systems and paths of development, and accommodate each other's core interests and concerns," Cui said.

"Whether on economic or security issues, we can always find a way out if we address the differences with candor and good faith, based on mutual respect and common interest," Cui said.

Cui also called on the two countries to promote mutual understanding, staying open to each other and becoming more connected, while stepping up people-to-people exchanges and enhancing popular support for those relations.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, National Security Council Senior Director for Asian Affairs Matt Pottinger, members of Congress and about 750 guests attended the event.

China and the United States formally established diplomatic relations on Jan. 1, 1979. Bilateral trade grew from less than 2.5 billion U.S. dollars from 40 years ago to over 580 billion dollars in 2017. Over the same period, the stock of two-way investment rose from practically nil to more than 230 billion dollars.