Chinese Foreign Minister visits White House

Washington, D.C. (January 4, 2011) – The White House Office of the Press Secretary has released information following the meeting of President Barack Obama and National Security Advisor Tom Donilon with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi to discuss U.S. – China relations and preparations for People’s Republic of China President Hu Jintao’s official state visit on January 19, 2011.

President Obama will host President Hu Jintao at the White House. This will be the third State visit of the administration and reciprocates President Obama’s State visit to China in November 2009.

Mr. Donilon and Foreign Minister Yang exchanged views about a broad range of political, economic and security issues. Donilon stressed the importance of effective efforts to reduce imbalances in both the global economy as well as in U.S. – China trade.

The two discussed ways to advance our nonproliferation objectives, including working together to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and to persuade North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons program, to meet its commitments and international obligations, and to avoid destabilizing behavior.

They also agreed on the importance of ensuring that the referendum on southern Sudan proceeds peacefully and on time and that the results be accepted by Sudan and the international community.

The President joined the meeting and reaffirmed his commitment to building a bilateral relationship that is comprehensive in scope, positive in achievement, and cooperative in nature.  The President said he looked forward to the visit of President Hu and to the U.S. and China working together effectively to address global challenges.

Yang Jiechi met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke on Wednesday, at the Commerce Department to discuss a variety of bilateral trade issues, as well as President Hu Jintao’s upcoming visit.

Locke and Minister Yang had a positive meeting, discussing the U.S.-China commercial relationship, as well as the implementation of commitments made from last month’s Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade. JCCT issues that were touched upon included beef market access, software asset management, indigenous innovation and government procurement.

Locke said he looks forward to President Hu’s visit, and continuing to strengthen the U.S.-China commercial relationship.

During the January visit President Hu’s is expected to highlight the importance of expanding cooperation between the United States and China on bilateral, regional, and global issues, as well as the friendship between the peoples of our two countries. The President looks forward to welcoming President Hu to Washington to continue building a partnership that advances our common interests and addresses our shared concerns.

The President and Mrs. Obama will host President Hu for an official state dinner on the night of January 19.

Obama and Hu last spoke by phone on December 6, 2010, to discuss the crisis involving North Korea’s sudden nuclear capabilities and of its hostile actions in an attack on a South Korean island.

The two Presidents agreed to work on common interests of peace and stability in Northeast Asia, and for a priority concern of ensuring the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula continues.