Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi holds talks with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Beijing

On February 21, 2009, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held talks with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

The international situation is undergoing complicated and profound changes, said Yang. Faced with a series of major and pressing issues in the world, China and the United States have even broader common interests and basis for cooperation. The two countries should increase dialogue and communication, and reinforce mutual trust and cooperation so as to lift bilateral ties to a new level. President Hu and his U.S. counterpart have reached important consensus on pushing for greater development of bilateral ties in the new period of time. China is ready to work with the U.S. to seriously implement the agreement reached by the two heads of state and push for long-term sound and stable development of the ties from a new starting point.

Clinton said since the establishment of diplomatic ties 30 years ago, the two countries have established a solid foundation of bilateral ties and conducted sound cooperation in a wide range of areas including economy, trade, climate change and development, as well as on international and regional issues. The Obama administration is committed to developing positive cooperative relations between the U.S. and China and pushing for expansion and deepening of the relations. She expressed hope that both sides will continue expanding friendly exchanges and reinforce dialogue and cooperation in all sectors to bring positive results to both countries and their peoples.

Both sides emphasized that the two presidents' meeting, which will take place on the sidelines of a G20 summit in London in April, will be of great significance. Both sides should continue stepping up dialogues on strategic, overall and long-term issues in political, diplomatic and economic sectors. Both sides reached a principled agreement on establishing a strategic and economic dialogue mechanism. Detailed arrangements will be worked out later.

Yang briefed on the developments of the current relations across the Taiwan Straits, elaborating on China's principled position on the Taiwan issue. Yang urged the United States to scrupulously abide by the one-China policy and the three joint communiques, handle the Taiwan issue prudently and properly, and support the peaceful development of the cross-strait relations.

Clinton reaffirmed that the U.S. adheres to the one-China policy and the three joint communiqués and welcomes and supports positive developments of the cross-strait relations.

Both sides agreed to further enhance communication and coordination in dealing with the international financial crisis and work together to lead the Group of 20 summit in London in April to tangible results. Both sides also agreed to work more closely in bilateral areas, as well as in dealing with climate change, energy, environment and other issues to expand common interest of the two countries.

Yang accepted Clinton's invitation to visit the United States in March.