Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao called Wednesday for greater joint efforts to deepen business ties and promote the all-round growth of the constructive and cooperative relationship between China and the US.

 

In a speech at a luncheon in Seattle hosted by the Washington State, the Seattle business community and local organizations, Hu made a five-point proposal for this purpose.

 

First, he said, China and the US should work together to promote economic development and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large.

 

"China and the US share extensive common interests," he said. "We both shoulder important responsibilities for peace and development in this region."

 

China is ready to enhance dialogue and coordination with the US to jointly take part in regional economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific, ensure fast and dynamic economic growth in the region and facilitate balanced and orderly growth of the world economy, he promised.

 

Second, he said, the two countries should strengthen coordination to uphold the international free trade regime.

 

"China and the US need to actively promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, remove trade barriers and work to help establish a multilateral trading system that is open, fair, equitable, transparent, non-exclusive and non-discriminatory," he said.

 

Third, the Chinese president said, the two sides should expand the scope of bilateral cooperation "in an innovative way."

 

"China and the US need to open new channels and areas of cooperation and create new stimulants to boost our business ties," he said.

 

He listed new areas of cooperation, such as in nuclear energy, natural gas, energy conservation, renewable, clean and new energies.

 

Fourth, Hu said, the two countries should give more guidance and support to Chinese and American business communities to deepen cooperation among them.

 

"China supports the undertaking of large projects of cooperation based on equality and mutual benefit between Chinese and American communities," he said.

 

The two governments should facilitate and support cooperation between the business communities of the two countries, he added.

 

Fifth, he said, the two sides should improve institutional arrangements to properly address issues as they occur.

 

"China and the US should always properly handle the bilateral economic and trade issues through dialogue and consultation", he said.

 

The Chinese president arrived here Tuesday for his first state visit to the US, with Seattle being the first stop of his four-day stay in the country.

 

The US is the first leg of his five-nation tour, which will also take him to Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Nigeria and Kenya.

 

(Xinhua News Agency April 21, 2006)