LONDON, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao and his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama agreed to work together to build a positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship in the 21st century when they met here Wednesday.
Hu said China-U.S. ties have got off to a good start since Obama took office. "I have been keeping close relations with Obama and the foreign ministers of both countries have exchanged visits in a short time," he said.
Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) shakes hands with U.S. President Barack Obama during their meeting in London, Britain, on April 1, 2009. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) Photo Gallery>>>
The current international situation is undergoing complicated and profound changes, and the international financial crisis continues to spread and go deeper, he said, adding that global challenges are markedly increasing.
China and the United States share more extensive common interests in tackling the financial crisis, striving to recover global economic growth, dealing with international and regional issues and safeguarding world peace and security, the Chinese president said.
He said China and the United States need to view each other from a positive perspective and push forward dialogue and cooperation with positive moves despite the differences in their social systems, historical background, cultural tradition and phases of development.
The two countries should also work together to tackle the complicated and thorny issues facing the humanity in the 21st century to achieve mutually beneficial cooperation and common development, he said.
China and the United States should deepen exchanges and cooperation in economy, fighting terrorism, non-proliferation, law enforcement, energy, climate change, science and technology, education, culture, healthcare, and boost exchanges between the military of the two nations, he said. The two countries should also strengthen communication and coordination on international and regional affairs and global issues, he added.
Chinese President Hu Jintao (3rd L) shakes hands with U.S. President Barack Obama (2nd R) during their meeting in London, Britain, on April 1, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) Photo Gallery>>>
Hu invited Obama to visit China in the second half of this year, and Obama accepted the invitation with pleasure.
This was the first meeting between the two heads of state since the new U.S. administration came into office in January.
The two presidents had an "extensive" exchange of views on bilateral relations and global issues of common interest and agreed to work toward an enhanced bilateral relationship, the White House said in a statement.
The two leaders decided to establish the mechanism of "China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogues," and agreed that the first round of the dialogues will be held in Washington this summer.
Speaking at the start of their meeting, Hu said: "Good relations with the United States are not only in the interests of the two peoples, but also beneficial to peace, stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region, and the world at large."
China is willing to work with the United States to make even greater progress in advancing their bilateral relations, Hu said, adding he hoped to establish "good working relations and personal friendship" with Obama.
The U.S. president said the relations between the United States and China have become "extremely constructive." "Our economic relations are very strong."
"I said publicly our relations are not only important for citizens of the two countries, but also help set the stage for how the world deals with a host of challenges," he said.
"China is a great power and has a long and extraordinary history," Obama said.
The Chinese president also said during the meeting that no matter how the situation across the Taiwan Strait evolves, China will steadfastly adhere to the one-China policy and resolutely oppose "Taiwan independence," "One China, one Taiwan" and "Two Chinas."
Obama said the U.S. government is committed to the one-China policy and the three Chinese-U.S. joint communiques, adding that this stand will not change.
Chinese President Hu Jintao (2nd R) and U.S. President Barack Obama (2nd L) meet in London, Britain, on April 1, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Xueren) Photo Gallery>>>
The United States welcomes and supports efforts to improve relations across the strait and hopes for greater progress in the relations, the U.S. president said.
Observers say the China-U.S. relationship is one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world in the 21st century, and amid the spreading international financial crisis and mounting global challenges, it is all the more important to further develop China-U.S. relations.
Over the years, leaders of the two countries have maintained close communication on major issues concerning bilateral ties through mutual visits, meetings, telephone calls and correspondence. These exchanges have given a strong boost to the sustained, sound and steady growth of bilateral relations.
The Chinese and U.S. leaders met in London on the sidelines of a Group of 20 (G20) summit on the financial crisis slated for Thursday.
The London summit brings together leaders of the G20, and representatives of international organizations and financial institutions to work to restore stability and stimulate global economic growth.
The summit will focus on enhancing the coordination of macroeconomic policies, pushing for necessary reforms in the world financial system and stabilizing global financial markets.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei said last month that President Hu will deliver a speech at the summit to elaborate China's opinions and proposition.
China endeavors to push for positive and pragmatic results at the London summit, He said.
The G20 consists of China, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, Britain, the United States, and the European Union.
NEW YORK, April 1 (Xinhua) -- The global economy, not just members of the Group of 20, could benefit from a comprehensive China-U.S. cooperation, said an UN official on Wednesday.
"The greater cooperation between the two major economies will not only help the global economy recover from its downturn, but also to make contributions to bringing about a new round of global economic growth," Hong Pingfan, chief of global economic monitoring at the United Nations, told Xinhua in an interview.
LONDON, April 1 (Xinhua) -- China is ready to work together with the United States to bring about an early recovery of the faltering world economy, Chinese President Hu Jintao said here Wednesday during his first face-to-face talk with his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama.
The international financial crisis is still spreading and deepening, taking a heavy toll on the economy and people's lives in countries around the world, Hu said. Working together to tackle the crisis has become the top priority of the international community, he said.
LONDON, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao said during a meeting with his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama here Wednesday that mutual respect for and consideration of each other's core interests are key to ensuring a sound and stable development of Chinese-U.S. relations.
The Chinese president noted that the Taiwan issue remains the most important and sensitive core issue in China-U.S. relations.
LONDON, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao and U.S. President Barack Obama met here Wednesday to discuss Sino-U.S. ties, the financial crisis and other major issues of common concern.
"I am happy to meet President Obama, and this is my first time to hold face-to-face talks with you," Hu said at the beginning of the meeting.
BEIJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao and U.S. President Barack Obama agreed on Wednesday their countries will work together to build a positive, cooperative and comprehensive China-U.S. relationship for the 21st century.
The two leaders also decided to establish the mechanism of bilateral Strategic and Economic Dialogues.
NEW YORK, April 1 (Xinhua) -- A renowned China expert with the Brookings Institution said Wednesday that China and the United States want to keep on the positive development momentum of their relations.
"The announcement of the new U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue (mechanism) demonstrates that both sides want to build on the positive momentum created during the past few years in U.S.-China relations," said Dennis Wilder, a visiting fellow at the John L. Thornton China Center and Foreign Policy at Brookings Institution.
BEIJING, April 1 (Xinhua) -- The summit between the two presidents of China and the United States, the largest developing country and developed country, is well timed and bears special significance as the world is bogged down in the worst economic crisis in decades, analysts say.
On the sidelines of the G20 summit in London, Chinese President Hu Jintao and his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama held their first meeting Wednesday, focusing on actions to fight the devastating global financial crisis.
