On May 4, 2012, Premier Wen Jiabao met with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner in Ziguangge, Zhongnanhai. Clinton and Geithner, special representatives of U.S. President Barack Obama, are in Beijing for the two-day China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED).

Wen said that the China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) has become an important bond of bilateral ties and a major platform for enhancing communication and cooperation. Wen said the sustainable and steady development of the S&ED is the result of adhering to the principle of mutual respect, treating each other as equals and accommodating the major concerns of both parties. He said both countries should adhere to and enrich the dialogue and improve the quality, level and effectiveness of exchanges and cooperation.

The U.S. has a solid technological base and strong economic strength, he said, adding that although there are difficulties in economic recovery, its economic situation is getting better. China's development has been blessed with strategic opportunities and the country is at a crucial stage for economic restructuring, he added. Enhanced Sino-U.S. cooperation is a general trend and the two sides should firmly grasp the opportunity and follow this trend. The premier called on both sides to map out a long-term plan for bilateral cooperation, focusing on the economic, trade, finance and investment sectors. Wen said he believes creating a long-term plan will be the best way to resolve economic differences and will be conducive to the two countries' development and the interests of both peoples.

"China will remain committed to its policy of reform and opening up, as well as a path of peaceful development," he reiterated. He said China and the U.S. can forge a new type of relations between major countries featuring peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, despite differences between their social systems and historical and cultural backgrounds. "Cooperative relations between China and the U.S. have gone beyond the bilateral scope. They are impacting and will continue to influence the whole world," Wen said.

The U.S. side noted that in spite of multiple global challenges and uncertainties, both sides have maintained good communication, carried out fruitful cooperation in the political, economic, trade, energy, cultural, security, local and other fields and strengthened coordination in international and regional affairs, with bilateral relations moving forward continuously. The U.S. appreciates China's economic reforms and supports China's suggestions regarding future cooperation, according to the two representatives. The U.S. is ready to work with China to implement their consensus and strive for more substantial results in order to make contributions to the recovery and growth of the world economy. The U.S. welcomes China to expand investment in the U.S. and encourages Chinese companies to play a bigger role in the U.S. market, the representatives said. The U.S. side also expressed a willingness to closely work with China to promote the resolution of international and regional hot button issues.

Vice Premier Wang Qishan, State Councilor Dai Bingguo, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Minister of Finance Xie Xuren, Minister of Commerce Chen Deming, Governor Zhou Xiaochuan of the People's Bank of China, Vice Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission Zhu Zhixin and Chinese Ambassador to the United States Zhang Yesui attended the meeting.