China attaches great importance to Obama's upcoming visit
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China attaches great importance to U.S. President Barack Obama's visit in November, a senior Chinese official told visiting U.S. Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg in Beijing Tuesday.
State Councilor Dai Bingguo said China would work with the U.S. to ensure the success of this visit.
Steinberg, who arrived in China Monday, said President Obama was looking forward to his visit, and hoped it would promote U.S.-China relations.
Dai said relations between the two countries had developed vigorously with close exchanges and cooperation since the Obama administration took office.
The two sides should work together for the continuous and steady development of bilateral ties, Dai said.
A key mission of Steinberg's China trip is to prepare for Obama's visit. It is part of the senior U.S. diplomat's week-long tour of Asia, which also takes him to Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul and Tokyo.
He said Obama considered his meeting with President Hu Jintao in New York last week had given an impetus to bilateral ties.
Obama's visit would "mark an important milestone in building mutual trust and respect between the people of China and the United States," said a statement from the U.S. Embassy in Beijing late Tuesday on his departure from China.
In a separate meeting with Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping, Steinberg reiterated that the United States would continue with the one-China policy and respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, which were considered by the U.S. government the crucial principle in handling bilateral ties.
After expounding China's stance on Taiwan and issues concerning Tibet and Xinjiang, Xi said respect and care for each side's core interests and major concerns was the key to the healthy and steady growth of ties.
Xi called on the U.S. side to handle concerned issues in a "prudent" and "appropriate" way, to safeguard China-U.S. relations.
Steinberg said President Obama had several times stressed the great importance of U.S.-China relations since he took office in January.
The United States hoped to reveal to the world through President Obama's China visit that the two countries were willing to jointly respond to global challenges, including the global financial crisis, terrorism and non-proliferation, he said.
Xi called on joint efforts from both countries to ensure "positive results" from Obama's China tour.
"President Hu Jintao had successful meeting with President Obama in New York last week, in which they reached new important consensus on promoting active, all-round development of bilateral ties," said Xi.
"China is ready to work closely with the United States to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, enhance strategic trust and substantial cooperation in various areas, and properly handle differences and sensitive issues," Xi said.
