On September 23, local time, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with U.S. President Barack Obama in New York. Both sides exchanged in-depth views in a candid, pragmatic and constructive atmosphere on China-U.S. relations as well as issues of common concern and reached important consensus. They both expressed confidence about the prospect of bilateral ties.

Wen said at the meeting that the international financial crisis had brought to the two countries not only great pressure and challenges, but also new chances for further cooperation. The two sides should boost political and strategic mutual trust, stick to policies that delivered mutual benefits, strengthen dialogue and cooperation at multi and bilateral levels and deal with the differences in an appropriate manner, with a view to becoming partners instead of rivals, he said.

With a strong economic basis and technological and intellectual advantages, the United States would certainly overcome its temporary difficulties and achieve economic recovery and growth, which would be beneficial to China and the world, Wen said.

Trade disputes between the two countries were structural conflicts which would be solved gradually by keeping the overall situation in mind and taking comprehensive measures, he said. Wen said China was willing to discuss with its U.S. partner, on the basis of mutual respect and equal treatment, the mode of large scale cooperation in finance, trade and investment. China was also willing to work together with the United States to jointly safeguard the international financial stability and push for a balanced and sustainable development in bilateral trade, he added. The Chinese premier expressed the hope that the United States would recognize China's status of a full market economy and loosen restrictions on exports to China. Wen also reaffirmed China's unwavering determination to promote the reform of the RMB exchange rate mechanism and national treatment for foreign firms, including U.S. firms. China welcomes these foreign firms to participate more actively in China's economic development.

Wen noted that China and the United States had broad common interests in fighting global challenges, solving regional hot spot issues and conducting pragmatic cooperation. The Sino-U.S. relationship had gone beyond the bilateral scope and had important influence internationally, he said. He said that China was ready to keep close coordination with the United States, foster favorable conditions for the visit to the United States by Chinese President Hu Jintao next year, and push the bilateral ties to a higher level.

Obama said his administration had established a positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship with China. The fact that both countries had had effective cooperation within the Group of 20 (G20) and had joined hands in fighting the international financial crisis was crucial for the whole world, he said. The two sides should strengthen the strategic and economic dialogue, promote the implementation of the consensus reached by the G20 nations and boost the sustainable recovery of the global economy, said the U.S. president.

Obama said the United States welcomed China's RMB exchange rate reform and encouraged the firms from both sides to expand investment. He said his country was willing to strengthen cooperation with China in the fields of energy and environmental protection, and jointly find an effective way to radically improve their trade relationship. Obama said the United States had confidence in overcoming differences through dialogue with China, deepening common interests and developing a strong and cooperative relationship with China.

Obama said he expected to meet President Hu at the G20 and APEC summits later this year and was looking forward to Hu's visit to the United States next year.

Both sides also exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern.