On July 26, 2009, special representative of Chinese President Hu Jintao and Vice Premier of the State Council Wang Qishan met with co-chairs of US-China Working Group of the US House of Representatives Rick Larsen and Mark Kirk and other US congressmen in Washington, capital of the US.
Wang said that the China-US relations have achieved long-term progress since the two countries established diplomatic ties 30 years ago and the consecutive US congresses have played an important role. The strategic and economic dialogue between China and the US is a key platform of high-level intergovernmental dialogue recognized by the two heads of state and aims at pushing forward the positive, cooperative and comprehensive bilateral relationship in the 21st century. As the largest developing and developed countries in the world, China and the US hold identical interest. The priority at present is to strengthen dialogue and cooperation, jointly tackle the international financial crisis, resolutely oppose trade and investment protectionism and stimulate the rapid recovery of world economy. Meanwhile, in response to the global challenges in the 21st century, it is necessary to change the economic growth pattern, speed up the settlement of issues concerning energy, environment and climate change and realize comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable development.
Wang pointed out that China is in the period of accelerating industrialization and urbanization. The development of China needs to absorb the advanced science and technology and managerial experience and attract the talented people from the rest of the world, including the US. China's opening policy will remain unchanged.
Larsen noted that the US government attaches great importance to the upcoming strategic and economic dialogue with China and takes the dialogue as a critical part of bilateral relations. The US expects to enhance cooperation with China in order to boost the world economic recovery. It's hoped that the US and China make concerted efforts to promote the development of bilateral relations in the 21st century.
On the morning, Wang also met with former US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Vice President of the World Bank Justin Yifu Lin.