Wen calls for long-term cooperation with US

BEIJING - Premier Wen Jiabao met with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner on Friday, calling for the establishment of a long-term plan for cooperation.

Clinton and Geithner, special representatives of US President Barack Obama, are in Beijing for the two-day China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED), which started Thursday.

Wen thanked the special representatives of both sides for achieving substantial results during the dialogue.

China and the US have conducted four rounds of the S&ED since 2009, Wen said, adding that the dialogue has become an important feature of bilateral ties and a major platform for enhancing communication and cooperation.

Wen said the sustainable and steady development of the S&ED is the result of adhering to the principle of mutual respect, treating each other as equals and accommodating the major concerns of both parties.

He said both countries should improve the quality and effectiveness of the dialogue in order to promote the development of bilateral ties.

The US has a solid foundation for its economy, he said, adding that although there are difficulties in economic recovery, its economic situation is getting better.

China's development has been blessed with strategic opportunities and the country is at a crucial stage for economic restructuring, he added.

The premier called on both sides to map out a long-term plan for bilateral cooperation, focusing on the economic, trade, finance and investment sectors.

Wen said he believes creating a long-term plan will be the best way to resolve economic differences and will be conducive to the interests of both peoples.

"China will remain committed to its policy of reform and opening up, as well as a path of peaceful development," he reiterated.

He said China and the US can forge a peaceful coexistence and realize win-win cooperation, despite differences between their social systems and historical backgrounds.

"Cooperative relations between China and the US have gone beyond the bilateral scope. They are impacting and will continue to influence the whole world, " Wen said.

Geithner extended President Obama's greetings to Wen and expressed gratitude to his Chinese counterparts.

In spite of multiple global challenges and uncertainties, the two economies have maintained growth and will continue to provide strong support for the global economy, he said.

Although the two countries face different challenges in their economic systems, they are making progress in strengthening bilateral economic ties, he said.

Clinton also agreed that the two sides have made progress in effectively establishing a cooperative relationship.

The US side appreciates China's economic reform and supports China's suggestions regarding future cooperation, according to the two representatives.

The US is ready to work with China to implement their consensus and strive for more substantial results in order to make contributions to the recovery and growth of the world economy.

The US welcomes China to expand investment in the US and encourages Chinese companies to play a bigger role in the US market, the representatives said.

The US side also expressed a willingness to closely work with China to promote the resolution of international and regional hot button issues.

The fourth round of the S&ED is co-chaired by Clinton and Geithner, as well as Chinese Vice-Premier Wang Qishan and State Councilor Dai Bingguo who act as special representatives of President Hu Jintao.