China-U.S. Economic and Strategic Dialogue opens in Washington

"This serves the common interests of the two sides and will help advance the positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship between our two countries," said the Chinese leader in the message.

U.S. President Barack Obama (1st L) greets Chinese Vice Premier  Wang Qishan (1st R) and State Councilor Dai Bingguo (Rear) before  addressing the opening ceremony of the China-U.S. Strategic and  Economic Dialogue (S&ED) in Washington, the United States, July 27,  2009. (Xinhua/Zhang Yan)

"It is also of great importance for peace, stability, development and prosperity of the whole world," he added.

Hu expressed his confidence that "with the concerted efforts of both teams, the S&ED mechanism will keep improving and growing and inject new dynamism and make new contribution to our mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas and to the growth of our positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship."

Addressing the opening session of the dialogue, President Obama stressed the importance of cooperation between the United States and China,saying that the U.S.-China relationship "will shape the 21st century."

He hailed the dialogue as an "essential step forward "in advancing a positive and comprehensive relationship between the two countries.