On November 1, 2011, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with the U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC) delegation led by Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO of the Coca-Cola Company.

"As the world's economy is slowly recovering and facing many challenges, China and the United States should well handle their own affairs, shoulder due responsibilities, and strengthen mutual trust, benefit and assistance based on mutual respect," Wen said, adding this will benefit not only the two countries but the world as a whole.

"The two countries' economies will remain complementary for a long time. We are facing more cooperation and opportunities than competition and challenges in our trade relations," he said. The Premier said the Chinese government will steadily pursue the policy of expanding domestic demands, continue to protect intellectual property rights, encourage Chinese companies to invest in the United States and cooperate more with the U.S. side in matters of economy, finance, technology and infrastructure construction in a larger scale and at a higher level. Wen stressed China will seek an effective way to solve the trade imbalance between the two countries through equal consultations.

Wen spoke highly of many USCBC members' "objective and calm" attitudes toward issues in trade cooperation between the two countries, and their stance against politicization of these issues. Wen called on them to continue to exert their positive influence and push the U.S. government to inspire innovative thinking in developing bilateral trade relations, take concrete action on lifting high-technology export restrictions, attracting and protecting Chinese investment and take the path of mutual benefit and common development along with China.

The U.S. side noted that currently it is more important than ever before for both sides to enhance economic and trade cooperation. The enhanced cooperation is conducive to the recovery of the world's economy and the stability of the world's financial situation. The USCBC will continue to make a positive contribution to promoting bilateral economic and trade relations.

The delegation was invited to China by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.