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Hu: China, US should forge for mutual trust

By Wu Jiao, Zuo Likun and Hou Lei (chinadaily.com.cn/Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-05-24 10:14

Chinese President Hu Jintao's special representatives, Vice Premier Wang Qishan, State Councilor Dai Bingguo, US President Barack Obama's special representatives, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner pose for a group photo along with other representatives prior to the opening of the second round of China-US strategic and economic dialogue at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Monday May 24, 2010. [Xinhua]

Chinese President Hu Jintao urged mutual trust between China and the United States in an opening address to the China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue Monday.

"China and the United States have different national conditions; conflicts and disagreements are hard to avoid," Hu said in his speech, adding that "the crux (of the matter) is to respect each other's core interests and major concerns, carefully handle sensitive issues and enhance the foundation of mutual trust."

Special coverage: 2010 China-US Dialogue Related readings:  President Hu addresses China-US Dialogue  China, US dialogue seeks solutions to major issues  Hu calls for closer China-US coordination  China seeks US timetable on high-tech trade  US urges China to 'go further' in opening up  Hu: China, US should respect each other on development  Geithner highlightes China-US common interests  Hu: China, US should forge for mutual trust  China, US relationship not a zero-sum game

The two-day event, which kicked off in Beijing on Monday, tries to find solutions to issues ranging from trade and global economic recovery to regional tensions.

Chinese President Hu Jintao's special representatives, Vice Premier Wang Qishan and State Councilor Dai Bingguo, co-chaired the two-day meeting with US President Barack Obama's special representatives, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.

About 50 representatives from more than 40 departments of both countries participated in the dialogue.

Hu reaffirmed the importance of developing China-US relations, saying that a sound bilateral ties contributes to peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia Pacific region and the world.

"As permanent members of the UN Security Council, the largest developing country and the largest developed country, China and the United States face common tasks and shoulder important responsibilities ranging from promoting full recovery and sustainable growth of the world economy to managing regional hot-spots, meeting global challenges and safeguarding world peace and security," said Hu.

He said the world is in the midst of major developments, changes and adjustments while the trend toward a multi-polar world and economic globalization is gathering momentum, adding global issues are becoming more pronounced, and regional and international hot-spot issues keep cropping up.

"China attaches great importance to its relations with the United States," he said, adding that to develop a long-term, sound and steady bilateral relationship meets the shared desire of the two peoples and contributes to peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia Pacific region and beyond.

Hu also stressed the significance of safeguarding China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

"Nothing is more important than safeguarding China's sovereignty and territorial integrity," said Hu, adding that it is not difficult for American people, who experienced the Civil War, to understand how national unification is important and valuable to its people.

Hu calls for close China-US interactions

China and the United States should maintain close interactions at the top and other levels for full communication, Chinese President Hu Jintao said here on Monday while addressing the opening session of the China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue.

US urges China to 'go further' in opening up

US Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner urged China to "go further" in opening more to imports and foreign investment from the US, while he acknowledged the progress that Chinese government has made during the past few years.

Geithner highlightes China-US common interests

Quoting a Chinese idiom, US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said on Monday the United States and China are "in the same storm-tossed boat" and should meet common challenges together.

China seeks US timetable on high-tech trade

Beijing hopes Washington can set a timetable to end its restrictions on high-tech exports to China, Vice Premier Wang Qishan said in a speech at the China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue in Beijing on Monday.

Dialogue seeks solutions to major issues

Analysts said they believe the high-profile meeting will set the tone for bilateral relations.

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner arrived in Beijing Sunday leading "one of the largest groups of cabinet and sub-cabinet officials" comprising about 200 officials, including "virtually all elements of the US government", said Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addresses the opening of the second round of China-US strategic and economic dialogue at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Monday May 24, 2010. [Xinhua]