Hu, Obama seek harmony in unity

Source: Xinhua/Shanghai Daily  |   2008-11-10  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

PRESIDENT Hu Jintao has told United States President-elect Barack Obama in a telephone conversation that proper handling of the Taiwan issue would help improve Sino-American ties.

China and the US should respect and accommodate each other's concerns, and settle sensitive matters between the two countries, particularly the Taiwan issue, to bring China-US relations to a higher level, Hu said on Saturday.

Hu expressed appreciation to Obama for emphasizing in his campaign speeches the great importance of China-US relations, and for advocating the strengthening of cooperation in jointly responding to global challenges.

As the largest developing nation and the largest developed nation, China and the US shared extensive interests on issues related to world peace and development, and both had important responsibilities in this regard, Hu said.

China was willing to maintain high levels of exchanges with the US and contacts at all levels continue strategic dialogue with the US increase exchange and cooperation between the two countries in all fields and strengthen the exchange of opinion and coordination with America on major international and regional issues, Hu said.

Obama said that China was a great nation. "The relationship between the US and China is the most vital relationship on today's international stage," Obama said to Hu.

Obama expressed the hope that the US and China would strengthen cooperation and promote greater development of bilateral relations to bring benefits to both nations.

The US hoped to strengthen consultation and coordination with China on security, climate change and regional hot-spot issues, Obama said.

Hu and Obama also discussed major international issues of concern, including the global financial crisis.

Hu will travel to Washington for a summit this Saturday with other world leaders from the G20 group of nations to discuss ways to fight a downturn in economic growth.