By Xin Zhiming (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2008-04-03 16:31

US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said Thursday that he is looking forward to working with China's new Vice-Premier Wang Qishan, who has succeeded former Vice-Premier Wu Yi to take charge of the country's financial affairs.

"We know each other, we trust each other and we will communicate with each other," he said during an exclusive interview with China Daily website. "I'm very pleased" to work with Wang, he said.

Paulson is on a two-day visit to Beijing for preparation for the upcoming Sino-US Strategic Economic Dialogue in June in Washington. He has known Wang since 1990s, when he was head of Goldman Sachs while Wang was head of the China Construction Bank. They are expected to co-chair the June dialogue.

Wang has the expertise to "tackle difficulties", Paulson said. Wang was mayor of Beijing in 2003 when the city was hit by SARS.

Paulson said he appreciates the role China has played in pushing forward the economic dialogue and was impressed by Wu Yi, who has led Chinese delegation in previous SED sessions.

"I very much enjoy working with Wu," he said. "But she is a tough negotiator."