On Jan. 19, 2011, U.S. President Barack Obama held a grand ceremony to welcome President Hu Jintao for a state visit to the United States at the South Lawn of the White House. Speaking at the welcome ceremony, President Hu pointed out that the world today is undergoing great development, changes and transformation. Peace, development and cooperation have become an irresistible trend of the times. Hu said, “Let us seize the opportunity to work forward together. Let’s strengthen China-U.S. partnership and work together with other countries to promote a harmonious world with lasting peace and common prosperity.”
It was sunny after the rain in the morning in Washington D.C. Starting from 8:30 a.m., the military band started playing the salute music. The guards of honor lined up at White House South Lawn, ready to salute the presidents. The honor guards holding the national flags of China and the U.S. stood on the balcony at the South Lawn of the White House and on the steps along the two sides. People attending the welcome ceremony arrived very early at the South Lawn to wait for the presidents.
At 9:00 a.m., Hu Jintao arrived at the South Lawn by car and he was greeted by President Obama and his wife when he got off the car. Accompanied by President Obama, President Hu Jintao walked into the welcome area and walked onto the podium along the red carpet. The band played the national anthems of both countries and fired 21 gun salutes. Hu inspected the guards of honor in the company of Obama. The crowds waving Chinese and American flags cheered to pay tribute to President Hu. President Hu also shook hands with the people standing in the front row and extended his regards. The military band dressed in traditional military uniforms, marched by the podium while playing the flute and the trumpet, and received the inspection by the presidents.
President Obama and President Hu then delivered speeches.
In his speech, President Hu stressed that the purpose of his state visit to the United States is to increase mutual trust, strengthen friendship, deepen cooperation and move forward the cooperative and comprehensive China-U.S. relations in the 21st century.
Hu pointed out that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 32 years ago, the bilateral relationship has grown into the one bearing strategic significance and global impact. Since President Obama took office, the two countries have achieved productive results with the cooperation in all areas with the concerted efforts of both sides. The relations have seen new development, brought tangible benefits to the two peoples and contributed significantly to world peace and development.
Hu stressed that at the outset of the second decade of the 21st century, the American and Chinese people are looking forward to a better China-U.S. relationship and the people around the world are looking forward to seeing a better world. In face of new situation and new challenges, the two countries also share extensive common interests and shoulder important common responsibilities. “We should have a long-term perspective, seek common ground while putting aside differences, and jointly promote the healthy and stable development of China-U.S. relations. I hope that we can promote the positive, cooperative and comprehensive China-U.S. relations and open a new chapter for bilateral partnership through this visit. China-U.S. partnership should be based on mutual respect. The two sides should respect each other's core interests, enhance understanding through communication, consolidate mutual trust through dialogues, and expand consensus through exchanges. China-U.S. partnership should be based on mutual benefit. Exchanges and mutual learning should become our common choice. Win-win cooperation should be the way we get along with each other. China-U.S. partnership should be based upon joint efforts of the two sides to cope with challenges. It should make greater contributions to world peace and development. China-U.S. partnership should be based on broad participation of the people. The two peoples should expand exchanges, enhance friendship and inject inexhaustible dynamism for the development of China-U.S. relations.”
Obama said in his speech that he, on behalf of his wife Michelle and on his own behalf, welcomes President Hu to visit the White House and welcomes President Hu Jintao to visit the United States on behalf of the American people. President Hu's visit showed that the success of both countries concerns the vital interests of each other. In an interconnected world with economic globalization, countries including the United States and China, have to make joint efforts to build a more prosperous and more secure world. The United States welcomes China as a strong, prosperous and successful member of the rising nations in the world. China's success has brought economic benefits to both American and Chinese people. The cooperation of the two sides in a series of issues has promoted the stability of the Asia-Pacific region and the world.
Obama said that the two peoples are working together side by side every day and are making progress together. The two countries can cooperate in many areas in a spirit of mutual respect and mutual benefit. The U.S.-China cooperation has great potentials. The two countries should seize the opportunities.
The welcome ceremony was also attended by Wang Qishan, Ling Jihua, Wang Huning, Dai Bingguo, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other accompanying staff.