Cooperation between China and the United States in the field of local business and energy will bring mutual benefit to both countries, representatives from the US business communities said.

Finding common ground and finding places to profit financially and in relationships is very important, Kurt Foreman, president and CEO of Delaware Prosperity Partnership, said in an interview with China Daily on Tuesday at the annual New Year Gala of the China General Chamber of Commerce – USA (CGCC).

Foreman said he represents Delaware Governor John Carney and the state's private sector, taking the long view that strong markets like China and the US "have many opportunities for mutual success. And we want to make sure we're doing our part to make that happen".

The CGCC on Tuesday presented the "Outstanding Economic Development Partner of the Year Award" to the Delaware Prosperity Partnership for its efforts to sustainable growth and commitment to long-term China-US economic cooperation.

Foreman said that because Delaware is a small state, it isn't always as visible as some places.

"But we have a lot to offer," he said. "So again, we want to be a solution (for) business when that makes sense. And so my job is to get out and tell people about it and to make sure that they give us a chance."

Expanding beneficial cooperation in energy, science and technology also will bring China and the US a win-win situation, experts said.

The US, as one of the biggest energy producers, can export coal, oil and natural gas to China, Guan Linhua, CEO of Surge Energy, told China Daily.

"And China, as one of the biggest consumers, can import energy products from the US," he said.

Surge Energy is a Chinese petroleum company and is the largest privately held exploration and production operator in Houston.

The CGCC on Tuesday presented the "Outstanding Achievement Award-Energy & Infrastructure" to the company.

"Your success gives Chinese companies great confidence in operating in the US market," Chinese Ambassador to the US Qin Gang said at the gala.

"If we compare China-US relations to a giant ship, then economic and trade cooperation has been its ballast and propeller," Guan said, quoting Qin's speech.

"If there's a very close economic cooperation and also trade between the two countries, probably that will balance a lot of political attention," said Guan. "Just as a French economist said, 'When goods don't cross borders, soldiers will.'"

Peter Reisman, managing director and chief communications officer of Bank of China USA, earned his degree in financial law at Peking University in the 1990s.

"Business-to-business exchange and people-to-people exchange have always been the backbone of the relationships," Reisman told China Daily. "Many misunderstandings are a matter of learning differences."

China has reached a level of economic development where it has the ability to innovate and cooperate with other countries, said Reisman.

"We shouldn't hold the idea that 'The US is number one, or 'China is number one.' The two countries can learn from both," he said. "Whether it is social, economic or environmental problems, these are all problems that we cannot avoid," Reisman said in calling for solving problems together.

He said more than 40 years of relationships and exchanges between China and the US have demonstrated the benefits of cooperation.

"You have to be bold, to be able to make compromises and sacrifices. If we can both do that, make compromises, make sacrifices, for the greater good, it's a win-win," said Reisman.