On the afternoon of March 12, local time, U.S. President Barack Obama met with visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi at the White House. Also present at the meeting were U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Presidential National Security Adviser James Jones.

Yang said that the upcoming meeting between President Hu Jintao and President Obama at the Group of 20 (G20) summit scheduled for early April in London is of great significance to the development of China-U.S. relations in the new era as well as to pushing the international community to jointly deal with the financial crisis. Yang told the U.S. president that the most important purpose of his visit is to make political preparations for the heads-of-state meeting between the two countries. He said the Chinese side stands ready to make joint efforts with the U.S. to ensure the success of the meeting and pursue positive outcomes from the summit.

Yang said since the new U.S. administration came into office in January, China-U.S. relationship has achieved its stable transition with the joint efforts of both sides. Both sides have kept close contacts. The Presidents of the two countries have conducted sound communication, reaching important consensus on the development of bilateral relations in the new era. To develop China-U.S. relations is vital to both countries and the world at large. China attaches great importance to developing ties with the U.S. and is ready to work with it to earnestly implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state and enhance dialogue, exchanges and cooperation in bilateral as well as major international issues. He said both sides always respect and accommodate each other's interests and properly handle sensitive issues by starting from the overall situation of bilateral relations, so as to push for long-term healthy, stable development of bilateral relations.

Obama said he is also looking forward to meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao in London. Obama said he was glad the foreign ministers of the two countries had exchanged visits within a few weeks and achieved progress on a series of important issues. The United States and China share important international responsibilities and his administration is committed to a stronger relationship with China to make joint efforts in dealing with various global issues and challenges.

As to the ongoing global financial crisis, Obama said the U.S. and China should strengthen cooperation to deal with the crisis together. Obama said he appreciated the measures taken by the Chinese government to stimulate domestic consumption and maintain economic growth, and that the U.S. is taking similar steps. He said the U.S. is willing to increase communication and coordination with the Chinese side, and play important roles together in stabilizing financial markets, promoting recovery of the global economy, strengthening supervision over financial systems and reforming financial institutions. He stressed that countries like China should have a bigger say in relevant international financial institutions.

Yang said making joint efforts in tackling the financial crisis is the top priority in Sino-U.S. cooperation at present. He said the two sides should increase coordination in macroeconomic policies, oppose protectionism in all forms, deepen cooperation in economy, trade and investment, and build up new cooperation in such fields as energy and environmental protection.

Obama said greater cooperation between the United States and China in the fields of energy, environmental protection and climate change will be beneficial to the two countries and the world as a whole. He reiterated his country opposes trade protectionism and will continue keeping open its market.

Yang briefed Obama on recent developments across the Taiwan Straits and reaffirmed the principled position of the Chinese government on the question of Taiwan. The minister hoped that the U.S. sticks to its relevant commitments, handle Taiwan-related issues prudently and properly, and support the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations.

Obama said the U.S. is firmly committed to the one-China policy and abides by the three joint communiques between the two countries. He stressed that there is no change in the U.S. position, and that his administration welcomes and supports the improvement in cross-Strait relations.

During the meeting, Yang also reiterated the principled position of the Chinese government on Tibet-related issues, stressing that the conflict between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama essentially concerns an issue of important principle --whether to safeguard national unity or split the motherland.

Yang also reaffirmed China's principled position on the U.S. navy vessel's recent activities in China's exclusive economic zone.

Touching on the situation in the Korean Peninsula, Yang said it is in the interests of all parties concerned to achieve the goal of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and safeguard peace and stability both in the peninsula and across the Northeastern Asian region. He hoped all parties concerned will keep calm, show restraint, have helpful exchanges and contacts, and work together to make new progress through the Six-Party talks. Obama expressed appreciation for the important role China has played in the Six-Party talks. He said the U.S. will continue to work with China and other partners in the process to achieve the goal of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula in a verifiable manner.

Obama and Yang also exchanged views on issues including Darfur in Sudan and the situation in South Asia, vowing to keep contact and cooperation on relevant issues.

Chinese Ambassador to the Untied States Zhou Wenzhong and Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei attended the meeting.

On the same day, Yang Jiechi also met with U.S. Presidential National Security Adviser James Jones, exchanging views on developing China-U.S. relations as well as international and regional issues of common concern.