On April 3, 2008, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, who is also a special representative of U.S. President George W. Bush, at the Great Hall of the People.

Describing the current international political and economic situations as complex and changeable, Wen suggested that China and the Untied States should understand each other, deepen cooperation and eliminate interference to jointly cope with difficulties and challenges and promote world peace, stability and prosperity.

"Cooperation in the economic and trade fields is an important basis for Sino-American relations", said Wen. He noted that bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade, investment and finance had developed to a very high level. He said that China had taken active measures to address its trade imbalance with the United States, which had already had "some positive effects". China urged the United States to lift export restrictions that affect China and reduce trade and investment barriers to promote bilateral trade relations, he added.

Wen pointed out that the two nations should step up cooperation in energy and environmental protection, which has great significance to the sustainable development of both countries and the world economy as a whole. "China will join with the United States to strengthen dialogue and policy coordination and further implement the relevant projects to make cooperation in these fields a new growth point for bilateral economic cooperation," the Chinese premier said.

Wen applauded the China-U.S. Strategic Economic Dialogue (SED), adding that it has become an important channel for both countries to build up strategic mutual trust and develop mutually beneficial cooperation. He called on both sides to make diligent efforts to prepare for the fourth session, which is to be held in Washington in June, in a bid to strengthen consultation, keep closer coordination and push for new results of the dialogue.

Paulson briefed Wen about the latest developments in the U.S. economy, noting that the success of the SED served the interests of both sides. Paulson said that a decade-long plan covering energy and environmental cooperation could be a choice for both countries. He added that the United States highly valued the SED and would make constructive efforts to boost the dialogue mechanism.