President Hu Jintao had a written interview with the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post on January 17, prior to his state visit to the United States. He answered questions on major challenges to the long-term, sound and steady development of China-US relations; the foreign enterprise investment environment in China; China's policies and measures for dealing with the international financial crisis; China's economic and social development; China's peaceful development and reform of the political system; China's relationship with the Asia-Pacific region; and the situation on the Korean peninsula.

In regard to promotion of the long-term, sound and steady development of China-US relations, Hu Jintao said that since the beginning of the 21st century, thanks to the concerted efforts of both sides, China-US relations have on the whole enjoyed steady growth. Since President Obama took office, the two countries have maintained close contact through visits, meetings, telephone conversations and letters. He said the two countries agreed to build a positive, cooperative and comprehensive China-US relationship for the 21st century and together the two countries instituted the China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue mechanism. Over the past two years, China and the United States have carried out practical cooperation in a wide range of areas including the economy, trade, energy, the environment, counter-terrorism, law enforcement and culture. The two countries have maintained close contact and coordination in dealing with major international and regional hotspot issues and in addressing global challenges, such as climate change and the international financial crisis. The strategic significance and global impact of China-US relations have been on the rise.

Hu pointed out that China and the United States have a major influence on international affairs and shoulder the important responsibility of upholding world peace and promoting common development. Under today's new circumstances, the common interests of the two countries have been growing and areas of cooperation expanding. There is great potential for mutually beneficial cooperation in advancing Asia-Pacific regional cooperation and in improving global economic governance and promoting sustainable growth of the world economy; in expanding economic and trade cooperation and in strengthening cooperation in new areas like new energy sources, clean energy, infrastructure development and aviation and space; in fighting terrorism and preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; and in meeting challenges like natural disasters, food security and major communicable diseases.