China, US vow closer co-op to advance global recovery

BEIJING - China and the United States on Tuesday pledged to enhance their cooperation to advance the global economic recovery as US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner visited Beijing.

The global economic recovery must remain the priority for all nations as the world economic situation is still "very complex and grim," said Chinese Vice-Premier Wang Qishan as he held talks with Geithner, US President Barack Obama's special representative.

As important G20 members, China and the United States should make joint efforts with the other members to ensure the success of the Los Cabos summit and to support strong, sustainable and balanced global growth, he said. The next G20 summit is scheduled to be held in Los Cabos, Mexico, in June this year.

During the talks, Wang hailed the momentum of economic cooperation between the two nations over the past year.

At the beginning of last year, Chinese President Hu Jintao paid a state visit to the United States, where Hu and Obama agreed to establish a partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit, setting the tone for China-US ties.

"The Chinese side is willing to work together with the US side to further cooperate in various fields including economy and trade, investment, finance and infrastructure, in order to spur the economy, increase jobs, and create more benefits for the people of the two nations," said the Chinese Vice-Premier.

Wang also urged the United States to loosen export control of high-tech products to China and be cautious about the use of trade remedies, adding that he hopes that those Chinese enterprises that invest in the United States will enjoy fair treatment there.

Geithner said that the smooth development of relations between the United States and China is not only in the interests of the two nations, but also conducive to the recovery of the world economy.

The United States is willing to make joint efforts with the Chinese side to step up communication and cooperation and deepen the comprehensive and mutually beneficial economic partnership between the two nations, he added.

Geithner arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for a two-day visit, during which Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, Vice-President Xi Jinping and Vice-Premier Li Keqiang will also meet with him.