AAP staff report
Washington, D.C. (May 24, 2010) – The White House Office of the Press Secretary released a statement from President Barack Obama on the U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue in Beijing, China this week. Obama stated that he was proud to welcome the group to the White House last summer as the two countries launched a Strategic and Economic Dialogue. He thanked Chinese President Hu Jimtao, Vice Premier Wang Qishan, State Councilor Dai Bingguo, and the entire Chinese delegation in particular.
He also noted that he is pleased to have the U.S. delegation in Beijing led by two Cabinet members, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner along with several administration officials.
“As I said when we began this dialogue, the relationship between the United States and China will shape the 21st century, which makes it as important as any bilateral relationship in the world,” said Obama. “Together, we set out to build a positive, constructive, and comprehensive relationship, and we pledged to cooperate to advance our shared interests. That is what we have done.”
Obama said that the dialogue is one way that the world’s two largest economies are working together, along with G-20 partners, to sustain the global economic recovery. He said the China visit last fall brought about new clean energy partnerships, and that at Copenhagen they also made important commitments to confront climate change.
He said the two countries are striving to advance common security interests, and are cooperating to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and regional nuclear arms races. He welcomed President Hu to the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington earlier this year, said China is committed to establishing a center of excellence on nuclear security with a goal of securing vulnerable nuclear materials around the world.
“Over the next two days, our two countries have the opportunity to deepen our cooperation even further and advance the prosperity, health and security of our people,” said Obama. “Together, we can promote economic growth that is balanced and sustained and trade that is free and fair.”
The outcome will still have China and the U.S. in disagreement on some issues but Obama said the nations need to improve communication especially between militaries to promote mutual understanding and confidence.
“A truly comprehensive relationship, however, cannot be between governments alone,” said Obama. “It must also be between our people. That is why my visit to China included a discussion with young men and women in Shanghai, and it is why we are working to deepen the ties between Americans and Chinese through educational and cultural exchanges.”
The delegation will meet in Beijing as the people of Shanghai are hosting the World Expo. He encouraged the team to keep this spirit in mind as a common link that brings the two countries together to deepen a positive, constructive, and comprehensive relationship.
