Chinese President Hu Jintao has met with his US counterpart Barack Obama in New York, on the sidelines of the UN climate change summit and other UN meetings. They exchanged views on bilateral ties and other issues of common concern.

This is the second meeting between President Hu Jintao and President Obama this year. While meeting in London during a G-20 summit in April, they focused on tackling the global financial crisis. The two leaders agreed then to establish cooperation. Half-a-year later, both presidents have agreed that China-US relations are showing signs of solid development.

President Hu Jintao noted that a sound China-US relationship is not only in the interests of the two countries, but also conducive to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asian-Pacific region and the world at large.

He also made a number of proposals on furthering bilateral ties.

He said the two countries should maintain high-level official visits, adding that China is looking forward to President Obama's visit to the country scheduled in November this year.

Secondly, efforts should be made to consolidate the results from the first China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue. The Chinese president says both sides should push forward cooperation in various fields such as anti-terrorism, law enforcement, energy, and the environment.

Third, the two countries should intensify coordination and cooperation in regional and international issues such as climate change, food safety, and the prevention of infectious diseases.

According to the Chinese president, enhancing cultural exchanges also has significance. He said the two countries should do more regarding education and language studies.

In addition, President Hu told his US counterpart that the punitive tariffs that the US has adopted against tires made in China is not in the mutual interest of the two countries. He said such incidents should not happen again.

President Hu Jintao points out that against the backdrop of the global financial situation, both countries should firmly oppose trade protectionism, adding that China is willing to solve two-way trade disputes through dialogue and negotiation.

For his part, President Obama said Washington is committed to pursuing a genuinely cooperative and comprehensive relationship with Beijing.

In addition,he hopes both sides will properly handle problems in bilateral ties so as to push relations forward.

He added the United States will continue to make the bilateral ties more dynamic and effective, given the growing number of common, global, and regional challenges that the two countries face.

(CCTV September 24, 2009)