Premier Li Keqiang on Sept 19 met with US President Barack Obama, calling for stepped-up efforts to promote relations between the two countries.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the ongoing 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly that opened earlier last week.

Enhancing China-US cooperation accords with the fundamental interests of the two peoples and the common wish of the world community, Premier Li said.

China is willing to further deepen bilateral, regional and global cooperation with the United States in a variety of fields, and expand pragmatic cooperation in economy and trade, military, law enforcement and judicial affairs, counterterrorism, cyber-security, people-to-people exchanges and local-level cooperation, the Premier said.

China is also willing to enhance coordination with the United States on major international issues including the Korean Peninsula and climate change, and work with the US to facilitate the implementation of the results of the latest G20 summit in Hangzhou, China, he added.

Premier Li urged the two sides to “inject new impetus” to carry forward the China-US cooperation agenda and promote the sustained, healthy and stable development of China-US ties.

CORNERSTONE & PROPELLER

Economic and trade cooperation is the “cornerstone” and “propeller” of China-US relations, Premier Li said.

The two sides should work together to ensure an early conclusion of negotiations for a China-US bilateral investment treaty (BIT), expand market access to each other, and create a better business environment and better cooperation prospects for enterprises from both sides, the Premier said.

The two sides should also properly handle economic and trade frictions to prevent bilateral economic and trade ties from suffering unnecessary distractions, he added.

Meanwhile, the Premier urged the US side to relax restrictions on high-tech exports to China.

Obama said economic relations are the stabilizing factor of US-China ties.

The US side supports China’s reform process, the US president said, hoping the two sides can make further progress in BIT negotiations.

KOREAN PENINSULA

China supports the UN Security Council to make further reaction to the latest nuclear test conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Premier said as he met with Obama.

At the same time, China expects all relevant parties to refrain from any action that may lead to escalation of tensions, and opposes the US deployment of the THAAD missile defense system in the Republic of Korea, Premier Li said.

Premier Li reiterated China’s position on the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula.

“China is committed to the denuclearization of the peninsula, to maintaining peace and stability there, and to settling the issue through dialogue,” he said.

OTHER ISSUES

During the meeting, Premier Li also reiterated China’s principles and stance on issues concerning Taiwan and Tibet, urging the United States to properly handle related issues.

Obama reiterated that the United States remains committed to the one-China policy.

On the Chinese currency, Premier Li said the exchange rate of RMB will stay basically stable at a reasonable and balanced level, adding that there is no basis for a sustained devaluation of the currency.

The two sides also exchanged views on global issues including sustainable development, refugees and peace-keeping, and agreed to maintain and enhance close communication, conduct effective cooperation and provide more public goods for the international community.

It is of great significance to the world for the US-China relations to stay stable, said Obama.

The United States hopes relations between the two countries can develop in a strong and sustainable manner, and praises the cooperation the two sides have conducted on international and regions issues, Obama added.