China, US to strengthen economic ties

President, Hu Jintao, has met with US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R FRONT) meets with visiting U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner (L FRONT) in Beijing, capital of China, June 2, 2009. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Hu Jintao said the development of China-US relations has shown good momentum since the new US administration took office. Hu discussed his first meeting with US President Barack Obama in London in April.

He said both agreed to build a "positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship for the 21st century". Geithner said his visit was a good start towards building bilateral ties and that he looked forward to holding further talks back in Washington.

The Treasury chief hailed their ability to work together on the global stage and said he saw signs that their economies were stabilizing.

Geithner met earlier with Premier Wen Jiabao. Wen said the two sides should oppose trade protectionism, reform the international financial system and tighten oversight of international currencies to ensure the stability and growth of China, the United States and the world.