THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2009

U.S.-China Joint Statement
November 17, 2009
Beijing, China

 
At the invitation of President Hu Jintao of the People’s Republic of China, President Barack Obama of the United States of America is paying a state visit to China from November 15–18, 2009.  The Presidents held in-depth, productive and candid discussions on U.S.-China relations and other issues of mutual interest.  They highlighted the substantial progress in U.S.-China relations over the past 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, and they reached agreement to advance U.S.-China relations in the new era.  President Obama will have separate meetings with Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and Premier Wen Jiabao. President Obama also spoke with and answered questions from Chinese youth.
 
I.          The U.S.-China Relationship
 
The United States and China agreed that regular exchanges between leaders of the two countries are essential to the long-term, sound, and steady growth of U.S.-China relations.  The two sides are of the view that the three meetings between the two presidents and other important bilateral exchanges this year have strengthened relations.  President Obama invited President Hu to make a visit to the United States next year, and President Hu accepted the invitation with pleasure.  Leaders of the two countries will continue to maintain close communication through mutual visits, meetings, telephone conversations and correspondence.