"Both sides attach great importance to this meeting and are making intensive preparations for it. I am confident that with joint efforts of the two sides, the meeting will be a great success and chart the course for the future growth of China-US relations," the minister said.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) shakes hands with US President Barack Obama during their meeting in London, Britain, on April 1, 2009. [Ju Peng/Xinhua]

Sino-US relationship is one of the most important bilateral relations in the world in the 21st century. Amid spreading international financial crisis and various mounting global challenges, it is all the more important than ever to further deepen and develop Sino-US relations.

In a telephone conversation with President Obama on January 30 this year, the Chinese president said that China is ready to strengthen dialogue, promote mutual trust and expand cooperation with the United States in a bid to confront various global challenges together and push forward a stable development of the Sino-US relationship.

Obama said in the telephone conversation that the US side is expecting closer cooperation with China on major international and regional issues, and the US government is willing to join hands with China to develop a more active and constructive bilateral relationship.

The Chinese and US leaders met on the sidelines of a Group of20 (G20) summit on financial crisis slated for Thursday in London.

The London Summit brings together leaders of the G20, and representatives of international organizations and financial institutions to work cooperatively to restore stability and stimulate global economic growth.

At Thursday's summit, the leaders will focus on such subjects as enhancing the coordination of macroeconomic policies, pushing for necessary reforms in the world financial system, and stabilizing global financial market.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei told reporters on March 23 that President Hu will deliver a speech at the summit to elaborate China's opinions and proposition on these subjects.

China endeavors to push for positive and pragmatic results at the upcoming London summit, He added.

On the sidelines of the London summit, Chinese President Hu is expected to meet other leaders of G20 members.

The G20 consists of China, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, Britain, the United States, and the European Union.

(Xinhua News Agency April 1, 2009)