During his trip, Hu emphasized the Chinese and U.S. peoples cherished great interests and friendly feelings toward each other, adding boosting people-to-people exchanges, especially youth-to-youth exchanges, was of key importance to the development of bilateral ties. China and the Unites States should encourage their relevant government agencies and non-governmental organizations to enhance the awareness of both peoples, especially the young people, on the importance of bilateral ties through various forms in a bid to build up mutual understanding and friendship, cement the social and public basis of the ties and provide an inexhaustible motive force for the development of bilateral ties. President Hu interacted widely with Americans from various circles. He attended a welcome luncheon held by U.S. friendly organizations and delivered an important speech, which was warmly applauded by the audience. He explained China's policies of further developing China-U.S. ties, and reiterated China would stick to the road of peaceful development. President Hu fully recognized the important contributions made by sub-national exchanges and cooperation to promoting China-U.S. relations. Hu paid a visit to Chicago, where he was warmly welcomed by the government and citizens. He hopes that Chicago will continue to take the lead in boosting the bilateral pragmatic cooperation and enhancing friendship between the two peoples. Mayor Richard Daley and his whole family greeted Hu at the airport. Daley hopes to make Chicago the friendliest American city to China and a gateway of China into the United States. Hu also visited Walter Payton College Preparatory High School in downtown Chicago, and conducted face-to-face exchanges with U.S. youth.

During Hu's visit, both countries agreed to take concrete steps to enhance people-to-people exchanges. The two sides announced the launch of a China-U.S. Governors Forum and decided to further support exchanges and cooperation at local levels in a variety of fields. They also agreed to take concrete steps to strengthen dialogue and exchanges between their young people, particularly through the 100,000 Strong Initiative. The two sides agreed to discuss ways of advancing exchanges between both peoples by exploring a China-U.S. cultural year event, promoting tourism and other activities.

V. Strengthening Communication and Coordination On Major Global Issues

Yang said that, in the second decade of the 21st century, the international situation continued to experience profound and complex changes, while there were more and more global challenges. Due to economic globalization, the inter-dependence and converging interests of the two countries have reached an unprecedented level and both countries shoulder more common responsibilities in safeguarding world peace and promoting common development. China-U.S. cooperation was of great significance to the two countries and the world at large. Both sides should jointly deal with the global financial crisis, push forward the international financial system's reform, wield positive impacts in the world arena, and keep effective communication and coordination on major regional and global issues, he said.

During his visit, President Hu exchanged views with the U.S. side on the world economy, the situation on the Korean Peninsula, the Iranian nuclear issue, the Sudanese situation, climate change and other major international and regional issues. He said China and the United States should strengthen consultation and coordination on major issues concerning peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and the world, effectively cope with global challenges, and create a better future for the world.

U.S. leaders agreed with President Hu's views, saying they would like to make joint efforts with China to strengthen cooperation in handling global issues and solve multilateral problems in the 21st century. Both countries agreed to strengthen coordination and cooperation, continue to devote themselves to promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, boost open and inclusive regional cooperation, and move forward sustainable development in different countries.

The China-U.S. joint statement issued during Hu's visit fully reflected the two countries' willingness to play a constructive and responsible role in the world. Facing the challenges regarding world peace, international security, global development and others, China and the United States have become indispensable players in solving major international and regional issues. The statement clearly and fully reflected this important trend, and displayed the two countries' important consensus on the Korean Peninsula's current situation, the Iranian nuclear issue, climate change and nuclear non-proliferation. The consensus sent a positive message that China and the United States are making efforts to maintain regional and world peace and stability.

Yang said finally that Hu's state visit to the United States charted the course for development of China-U.S. ties in the future, boosted China-U.S. strategic mutual trust, promoted bilateral pragmatic cooperation in various fields, expanded bilateral humanistic exchanges, strengthened bilateral local-level governmental cooperation and increased bilateral communication and coordination on major international and regional affairs. He also said the visit realized the goal of boosting mutual trust, strengthening friendship, deepening cooperation, and building the China-U.S. cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit. It surely would further move forward the positive, cooperative and comprehensive China-U.S. relationship, and open a new chapter for bilateral cooperation of partners, the foreign minister said.

Source: www.fmprc.gov.cn