On the morning of May 4, 2012, President Hu Jintao met at the Great Hall of the People with the U.S. delegation to the fourth round of the China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED), which is headed by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, special representatives of U.S. President Barack Obama.
Hu hailed the "positive results" of the fourth round of the China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED), saying it has resulted in both parties reaching several significant agreements. He hoped that the delegations from both sides will seriously sum up experience and make persistent efforts to further develop the dialogue mechanism. Hu called for the two sides to fully utilize the talks in strengthening strategic communication, enhancing mutual trust and advancing strategic cooperation in order to contribute to the development of the cooperative partnership between China and the United States.
Hu said the two sides reached important consensus on establishing and developing the cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit, pointing out the direction for the development of China-U.S. relations. Hu said in face of the profound and complex changes in the international situation, both sides should adopt a long-term and overall view and proceed from the basic interests of their respective peoples in enhancing mutual trust and expanding cooperation and consensus. Hu called for the two sides to respect each other's core interests and appropriately address differences and sensitive issues so as to push forward the building of the cooperative partnership and create a better future for China-U.S. relations.
Clinton and Geithner said the fourth round of the dialogue has seen excellent results so far, which proves once again that the decision of the two heads of state to build the U.S.-China cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit conforms to the common interests of both countries, is of great historical significance and is a correct path. The U.S. side expressed a wish to work with China to maintain high-level contact, enhance dialogue, bridge differences, expand cooperation and address difficulties and challenges in a frank and open spirit. Clinton and Geithner appreciated China's firm commitment to advancing economic reform and opening its market. They said the U.S. side is working to build a closer and stronger economic relationship with China and enhance cooperation with China in the process of global governance.
Major officials of both sides participating in the S&ED including Vice Premier Wang Qishan, State Councilor Dai Bingguo, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Minister of Finance Xie Xuren, Minister of Commerce Chen Deming, Governor Zhou Xiaochuan of the People's Bank of China, Vice Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission Zhu Zhixin and Chinese Ambassador to the United States Zhang Yesui attended the meeting.