Chinese president meets U.S. secretary of state

Chinese President Hu Jintao met with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton here on Saturday, stressing that it is of ever great importance to further deepen and develop Sino-U.S. relations.

Hu appreciated Clinton for her inaugural visit to China and other parts of Asia since taking office, saying this reflects the importance the new U.S. administration puts on developing relations with China and other Asian countries.

Clinton said she had "very good meetings" with Chinese officials during her visit, which she called the beginning of "a new era" of Sino-U.S. relations characterized by positive cooperation.

She also conveyed President Obama's personal greetings to President Hu, saying Obama enjoyed earlier conversations with Hu and looked forward to meeting with Hu at a G20 summit in London in early April.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (L) in Beijing, China, Feb. 21, 2009.(Xinhua/Yao Dawei)

Clinton said the U.S. and China had agreed in principle to start a strategic and economic dialogue between the two sides. She said President Obama and President Hu are expected to formally announce the plan in London.

Clinton arrived in Beijing Friday evening. Beijing is the last stop of the Asian tour that took her to Japan, Indonesia and the Republic of Korea.

Source: Xinhua

Chinese vice president meets with Venezuelan president

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez agreed to boost bilateral cooperation during a meeting on Wednesday.

During talks with Chavez, Xi said that this year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Venezuela. He called 2009 a great chance to promote all-round exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.

Xi said China and Venezuela should make a joint effort to enhance collaboration in the sectors of energy, finance, agriculture, infrastructure and high technology.

For his part, Chavez expressed admiration for China for the achievements it has made in its development.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez (R) meets with visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping in Caracas, Venezuela, Feb. 18, 2009. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Chavez said Xi's visit will consolidate the strategic partnership for common development and enhance cooperation between the two countries.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (L) receives the first mobile phone produced jointly by China and Venezuela from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez at a ceremony during which documents on bilateral collaboration between China and Venezuela in trade, finance, energy and agriculture sectors are signed, in Caracas, Venezuela, Feb. 18, 2009.(Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Venezuela is the fourth leg of Xi's six-nation tour which has taken him to Mexico, Jamaica, and Colombia. He left Caracas on Wednesday night for an official visit to Brazil.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping (L) shows the first mobile phone produced jointly by China and Venezuela, while Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez looks on, at a ceremony during which documents on bilateral collaboration between China and Venezuela in trade, finance, energy and agriculture sectors are signed, in Caracas, Venezuela, Feb. 18, 2009.(Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Source: Xinhua

http://paper.people.com.cn/rmrb/html/2009-02/20/content_196523.htm