China, U.S. for closer cooperation

September 23, 2009 09:35 pm | Updated 09:35 pm IST - NEW YORK

Chinese President Hu Jintao meets his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama in New York, on Tuesday. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese President Hu Jintao meets his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama in New York, on Tuesday. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese President Hu Jintao met his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama here on Tuesday and both leaders pledged efforts to further bilateral relations and called for closer cooperation on global challenges such as climate change and financial crisis.

Mr. Hu and Mr. Obama also discussed trade issues and issues related to Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang.

China and the United States share broader common interests and broader prospects for development in the face of the complicated and ever changing international situation, said Mr. Hu during the meeting.

China is ready to work with the U.S. to seize these opportunities and deepen their cooperation to push forward bilateral relations in a sound and healthy way, he said.

China-U.S. relations are on the whole showing a sound momentum of development, and the two countries are joining efforts to build a positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship for the 21st century, said the Chinese leader.

Mr. Obama said he is committed to building a positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship and is ready to put more vigour into this relationship. He looks forward to his visit to China, which he hopes would help bring their bilateral relationship to a new level.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the U.N. climate change summit and other U.N. meetings.

Mr. Hu put forward four propositions on furthering bilateral ties.

First, he said, the two countries should maintain close top-level exchanges. He said he was looking forward to Mr. Obama’s visit in November and that he was convinced the visit would be a success.

Secondly, the two sides should strive to do a good job in completing the follow-up work of the first China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue held in July. He said the two sides should join hands to further promote exchanges and cooperation in combating the international financial crisis and in such areas as trade and economy, anti-terrorism, nuclear non-proliferation, law enforcement, energy, environment and culture.

Thirdly, Mr. Hu said the two countries should deepen coordination and cooperation on major regional and international issues. He said the two countries should push for a proper resolution to the regional issues relating to the Korean Peninsula, Iran and South Asia. Both sides should strengthen communications and coordination on the global issues of climate change, food security, global nuclear security and epidemic diseases, said Mr. Hu.

Fourthly, Mr. Hu said the two countries should step up cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

The Chinese President emphasized that the two sides should respect and take care of each other’s interests and concerns. He said issues related to Taiwan, Tibet and Xinjiang concern China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and national sentiment of the 1.3 billion Chinese people. China attaches importance to the U.S. side’s reiteration of its commitment to adhering to the one-China policy and abiding by the three joint communiques, he said. Mr. Hu expressed the wish that the U.S. side would take real action to support the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Straits. China appreciates the United States for its recognition of Tibet as a part of China and its stance on opposing “Tibet independence,” said Mr. Hu. He expressed the hope that the U.S. side would understand and respect China’s concern on issues related to Tibet.

Mr. Hu also said the “July 5” riot in Urumqi, capital of China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is a serious, violent and criminal incident plotted and organised by the “three forces” from within and outside China. The President said he hopes the U.S. understands and supports the measures that China has adopted to fight violent terrorist crimes, safeguard national unification and maintain social stability.

He called on the U.S. to prevent the conducting of separatist activities against China in U.S. territory.

On the Taiwan issue, Mr. Obama said the U.S. remained committed to one-China policy. He said the U.S. appreciates the ease of relations between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits, which it considers conducive to peace and stability in Asia.

He said the U.S. does not support “Tibet independence” and respects China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity on issues related to Tibet and Xinjiang.

On issues of trade disputes, Mr. Hu said the recent U.S. decision to impose special safeguard measures on tyres imported from China contradicts the interests of both countries and anything of this kind should not happen again. Under the current economic and financial situation, both China and the United States should stand firmer to oppose trade and investment protectionism, said Mr. Hu.

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