President Barack Obama called for deeper US-Chinese economic cooperation today and outlined a broad agenda for a positive relationship between two countries.
Mr Obama opened two days of talks between high-ranking American and Chinese officials that are intended to get the new Obama administration off to a good start with Beijing, to address the global economic crisis, climate change and the dispute with North Korea over nuclear weapons.
"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," Mr Obama said. "That reality must underpin our partnership."
At the start of the US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue, both Mr Obama and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner avoided any mention of sensitive currency issues that have long been an issue between the two countries.
The Obama administration has sought to tread gently on some of the main issues that have separated the two countries in the past, such as the U.S. charge that Beijing manipulates its currency and represses ethnic minorities.
The US president did mention human rights, saying both nations believe that the religion and culture of all peoples must be respected. "That includes ethnic and religious minorities in China, as surely as it includes minorities within the United States," he said.
Most of his remarks focused on the US-Chinese economic relationship and how the two countries should work together to help restore economic growth.
Mr Obama said the United States and China can promote financial stability through greater transparency and regulatory reform, pursue free and fair trade and seek to conclude "an ambitious and balanced Doha Round," the long-running trade talks.
Reuters