Hu Makes Five Proposals for Sino-U.S. Relations

Chinese President Hu Jintao made five proposals on promoting Sino-U.S. relations and tackling delicate issues of common concern while meeting with visiting U.S. President Barack Obama in Beijing Tuesday.

Obama, who is in Beijing for a four-day state visit to China, agreed with Hu on the proposals, reiterating that the United States does not seek to contain China's rise and that he welcomes China as a "strong, prosperous and successful member of the community of nations."

Further Stragitic Mutual Trust

Hu called on the two countries to continue to increase strategic mutual trust with prerequisite of respect for each other's core interests and major concerns.

He hailed Obama's statement that the United States sticks to the one-China policy and hoped that the United States would "properly handle" the Taiwan issue and forbid "Tibet independence" and "East Turkistan" forces from using U.S. territory to cover their anti-China separatist activities.

In Hu's words, China and the United States should not be opponents, but partners that trust each other and cooperate sincerely.

"The development of China is an opportunity for all nations, including the United States," Hu said. "It is not a challenge, let alone a threat."

Maintain Exchanges at All Levels

Hu said China and the United States should maintain different levels of communication and consultation on major issues in a timely manner through different channels, including exchange of visits, talks and meetings on multilateral occasions.

The two countries should further substantiate the results of the first round of Sino-U.S. Strategic Economic Dialogue and start soon to prepare for the second round of talks in Beijing next summer, Hu said, calling the dialogue an important platform to enhance exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.

Step up Macro Control

It is "necessary" for China and the United States to step up cooperation on coordinating macro economic and financial policies, pushing forward reforms in the international financial system and improving global economic governance structure, Hu said.

He also raised the issue of trade frictions, voicing hope that the United States would loosen restrictions on its export of hi-tech products to China as soon as possible, while recognizing China's market economy status and facilitating expansion of trade and investment cooperation.

"Under the current circumstances," Hu said, "the two countries should more resolutely oppose and resist trade protectionism in any form."

Advance Exchanges, Cooperation in Various Areas

The other areas proposed by Hu for further cooperation between China and the United States include infrastructure, climate change and clean energy, and exchange of students.

He said China is willing to work with the United States on space exploration and construction of high-speed railways.

The two sides should take the launch of the joint clean energy research center as a turning point and deepen cooperation on energy saving, emissions reduction, renewable energy and treatment of environmental pollution, Hu said.

China is also willing to increase counter-terrorism cooperation with the United Stats on a basis of mutual benefit and hold dialogues with the United States on issues of human rights and religions based on the principle of equality, mutual respect and non-interference with each other's internal affairs, said Hu.

Work Together to Meet Global, Regional Challenges

Hu proposed that the two countries should continue to work together on global and regional hot issues in light of the benefit gained in recent years by cooperating on climate change, nuclear non-proliferation, crackdown on transnational crimes, disaster relief and prevention and treatment of contagious diseases.

(Source: Xinhua)