WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- China's State Council Information Office (SCIO) director Wang Chen met here on Thursday with U.S. Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Judith McHale to discuss how to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in public diplomacy and cultural exchanges.

Wang, who is on a visit to the United States, told McHale that the SCIO is willing to work with relevant U.S. departments to exchange views on issues of common concern, and maintain communication and dialogue on media cooperation in a bid to facilitate and deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

McHale echoed that the U.S. side is ready to take concrete steps to facilitate bilateral cooperation in this regard.

Zhang Yesui, Chinese ambassador to the United States, was present at the meeting.

Washington D.C. is the second leg of Wang's U.S. trip which had taken him to Los Angeles and will take him to New York.