On the afternoon of January 11, 2011, Hu Jintao, President of China and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, met with visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and his delegation at the Great Hall of the People.

Hu said currently China-U.S. relations have shown a sound momentum of steady development. Hu said China attached great importance to ties with the United States and held that the two countries shared extensive common interests and enjoyed broad prospects for cooperation. He said a sound China-U.S. relationship was in the fundamental interests of both peoples and conducive to world peace and development. China was willing to work with the U.S. side to push forward the positive, cooperative and comprehensive bilateral ties on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit, said Hu.

Hu pointed out that military relationship between the two countries was an important part of bilateral ties. A healthy and stable military relationship was of great significance to the positive, cooperative and comprehensive China-U.S. relationship for the 21st century. Stressing the principles of respect, mutual trust, equality and reciprocity, Hu urged the defense departments of the two countries to expand dialogue and exchanges, foster and increase strategic trust, respect and address each other's major concerns and make joint efforts for healthy and stable military ties.

Gates thanked President Hu for meeting with him and said U.S. President Barack Obama was looking forward to Hu's upcoming state visit. Currently, relations between the two countries and their militaries are facing new development opportunities. The U.S. side is ready to work with China to enhance dialogue and communication and continuously advance their military ties. Gates made positive comments on his current visit, hailing it a success. He said during this visit, both sides reached lots of consensus and yielded positive outcomes.

State Councilor and Defense Minister Liang Guanglie and other officials were present at the meeting.