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. [Li Xueren/Xinhua]

China and the United States are ratcheting up efforts to prepare for strategic and economic talks this summer as U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner continues his visit to Beijing.

"China-U.S. relations show a good momentum of development as both sides have kept close contacts since the new U.S. administration took office," President Hu Jintao told Geithner at the start of their meeting Tuesday afternoon.

Hu reviewed his first meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama in London in April when both agreed on building a "positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship for the 21st century" and launching China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue.

"As both sides agreed to hold the first round of dialogue in Washington D.C. in July, I hope both will work closely, step up preparation so as to make the dialogue a success," Hu said in a statement issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Hu characterized the dialogue mechanism as "an important platform for both nations to deepen understanding, mutual trust and cooperation."

The strategic track of the dialogue will be chaired by Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, while the economic track will be chaired by Vice Premier Wang Qishan and Geithner.

"As influential nations in the world, China and the United States share extensive common interests and shoulder important responsibilities in tackling global economic challenges and resolving the world hot-button issues," Hu said.

He said China would like to work with the United States to strengthen dialogues at all levels, expand exchanges and cooperation for fresh progress in bilateral relations in the new era.

Geithner, on first visit to China as Treasury chief, said his visit was "a good start" of building bilateral ties and "looked forward to holding the dialogue in Washington D.C."

He hailed bilateral "capacity to work together in global stage" and said he saw "early signs of stabilization of the economies."

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (R) meets with visiting U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner in Beijing, capital of China, June 2, 2009. [Li Tao/Xinhua]

Earlier in the afternoon, Premier Wen Jiabao also met with Geithner in Zhongnanhai, the central leadership's compound near the Forbidden City in Beijing.

"The foremost task for both countries is to work more closely to address the global economic downturn, oppose protectionism in trade and investment, promote reform in international financial system, tighten oversight of international reserve currency so as to ensure the stability and growth of China, the United States andthe world," Wen said.