On June 5, 2009, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with United States Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg in Beijing.

During the meeting, Yang spoke highly of the current China-U.S. relations. Yang recalled the successful meeting between Chinese President Hu Jintao and U.S. President Obama on the sidelines of the G20 London summit in April. They agreed to work together to build a positive, cooperative and comprehensive Sino-U.S. relationship in the 21st century, launched the China-U.S. strategic and economic dialogue, and vowed to step up cooperation on a wide range of issues, including dealing with the global economic downturn. All of these decisions gave clear direction to the development of Sino-U.S. relations. China and the United States shared broader common interests and more extensive basis for cooperation in light of the profound and complex changes in the international situation and the spreading economic downturn, Yang said. China is ready to work with the U.S. to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, bear in mind the overall situation and seize the opportunity to strengthen bilateral exchanges and cooperation at all levels. "We will strengthen contact and coordination on major international and regional issues, properly handle important and sensitive issues so as to push for the consistent, sound and steady development of China-U.S. relations," Yang said.

Steinberg said the United States gives top priority to ties with China and would work with it to build a positive, cooperative and comprehensive Sino-U.S. relationship in the 21st century. Washington would step up dialogue and consultation with Beijing in a broad range of areas, carry out constructive cooperation and promote bilateral ties so as to safeguard peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large, he said.

Both sides also exchanged views on the current situation on the Korean Peninsula and other issues of common concern.

On the same day, Chinese Vice Foreign Ministers Wang Guangya, Wu Dawei and He Yafei also held separate meetings with Steinberg.