Special Report: US President Barack Obama Visits China |
US President Barack Obama has wrapped up his four-day visit to China. Earlier on Wednesday, he met with Premier Wen Jiabao, who attached great importance to Sino-US ties, and expressed the nation's stance on the suggestion of a "G2."
The meeting between the Chinese Premier and the US President focused mainly on the two countries' ties, and their roles in the world.
Wen Jiabao said China attaches great importance to Sino-US ties, and he hopes Obama's visit starts a new phase in the two nations' cooperation. The Premier noted that this can play a unique role in advancing the establishment of the new international political and economic order.
But Wen Jiabao disagrees with the suggestion of a "G2," which is used to describe the world economic roles of China and the US in some reports. The Chinese Premier said China is still a developing country, with a huge population, and has a long way to go before it becomes modernized.
He noted China's stance of pursuing an independent foreign policy of peace, and not aligning with any country or block of nations.
On the much-focused trade issue, Wen Jiabao said China does not pursue trade surpluses. He hopes the US will lift its restrictions on high-tech product exports to China, and increase their proportions.
He also urged to strengthen mutual investment and cooperation in fields such as energy and environmental protection to foster more balanced bilateral trade. Wen called on both sides to work together to fight against trade protectionism.
Obama described U.S.-China relations as being of global significance, and hopes the two sides can abandon distrust and misunderstanding. He said he appreciates China's efforts in economic development, such as expanding domestic demand and strengthening IPR laws. He added that trade protectionism brings no benefits to either side, and said the US is devoted to pushing for the stable development of two-way trade ties.