China, US gear up for Obama's state visit

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-10-27 21:06

BEIJING: Chinese and US officials held talks in Beijing on Tuesday, pledging to make full preparation for the upcoming state visit to China by US President Barack Obama in mid-December.

Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo met with Jeffrey Bader, senior director for Asian affairs at US National Security Council, and conveyed Chinese President Hu Jintao's regards to Obama, according to a press release from Chinese Foreign Ministry.

"President Obama is to pay a state visit to China, which is a big event in China-US relations, and China gives great importance to the visit," the press release quoted Dai as saying.

"The two sides will hopefully make joint efforts to make preparations so as to make the visit fruitful and a success," Dai said.

Obama will visit China in mid-November in a four-nation Asia trip from November 12 to 19, which will also take him to Japan, Singapore and the Republic of Korea, the White House said earlier October.

China-US relations have maintained a sound momentum of development and the two sides are implementing the consensus reached by Chinese President Hu Jintao and Obama on building a positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship for the 21st century, said Dai.

Dai urged the two sides to respect and address each other's core interests and major concerns in a bid to push forward bilateral ties.

Bader said Obama's visit is important for boosting US-China ties and Obama is hoping to exchange views with the Chinese side on bilateral ties and major issues of common concern.

Bader also conveyed Obama's regards to President Hu.

Besides his meeting with Dai, Bader held discussions with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei on Obama's visit.