Beijing - Top Chinese and US officials on Saturday refined an atmosphere of cooperation by using an ancient Chinese proverb telling the story of warring soldiers forced to share the same boat to cross a river.

"As the world is faced with the grim impact of the financial crisis, I very much appreciate a proverb you quoted that all countries should cross the river peacefully as they are in a common boat," Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao told visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

The traditional-style four-character proverb "Tongchuan gongji" was quoted by Clinton in speech to the Asia Society in New York on February 13.

It refers to a legendary episode in which soldiers from the states of Wu and Yue shared a boat to cross a river.

The proverb was made more famous by its inclusion in the ancient philosopher and military strategist Sun Tzu's book "The art of war".

"An ancient Chinese story tells of warring feudal states, whose soldiers find themselves on a boat together crossing a wide river in a storm," Clinton said in her New York speech.

"Instead of fighting one another, they work together and survive," she said.

"The wisdom of that aphorism must continue to guide us today," Clinton said.

On Saturday, Wen introduced more of Sun Tzu's wisdom.

"Another saying in the book goes 'progress hand in hand'," state media quoted him as telling Clinton.

Clinton also invoked the Chinese proverb "Dig a well before you are thirsty," saying it reflected the need of the two countries to work together to tackle climate change and other global challenges, the official Xinhua news agency said. (dpa)