Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao called Wednesday for
greater joint efforts to deepen business ties and promote the
all-round growth of the constructive and cooperative relationship
between China and the US.
In a speech at a luncheon in Seattle hosted by the Washington
State, the Seattle business community and local organizations, Hu
made a five-point proposal for this purpose.
First, he said, China and the US should work together to promote
economic development and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and
the world at large.
"China and the US share extensive common interests," he said.
"We both shoulder important responsibilities for peace and
development in this region."
China is ready to enhance dialogue and coordination with the US
to jointly take part in regional economic cooperation in the
Asia-Pacific, ensure fast and dynamic economic growth in the region
and facilitate balanced and orderly growth of the world economy, he
promised.
Second, he said, the two countries should strengthen
coordination to uphold the international free trade regime.
"China and the US need to actively promote trade and investment
liberalization and facilitation, remove trade barriers and work to
help establish a multilateral trading system that is open, fair,
equitable, transparent, non-exclusive and non-discriminatory," he
said.
Third, the Chinese president said, the two sides should expand
the scope of bilateral cooperation "in an innovative way."
"China and the US need to open new channels and areas of
cooperation and create new stimulants to boost our business ties,"
he said.
He listed new areas of cooperation, such as in nuclear energy,
natural gas, energy conservation, renewable, clean and new
energies.
Fourth, Hu said, the two countries should give more guidance and
support to Chinese and American business communities to deepen
cooperation among them.
"China supports the undertaking of large projects of cooperation
based on equality and mutual benefit between Chinese and American
communities," he said.
The two governments should facilitate and support cooperation
between the business communities of the two countries, he
added.
Fifth, he said, the two sides should improve institutional
arrangements to properly address issues as they occur.
"China and the US should always properly handle the bilateral
economic and trade issues through dialogue and consultation", he
said.
The Chinese president arrived here Tuesday for his first state
visit to the US, with Seattle being the first stop of his four-day
stay in the country.
The US is the first leg of his five-nation tour, which will also
take him to Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Nigeria and Kenya.
(Xinhua News Agency April 21, 2006)