China, U.S. reaffirm commitment to building new model of major-country relationship

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20  -- China and the United States on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to pushing forward the construction of a new model of major-country relationship, as the two sides are actively preparing for an upcoming visit to China by U.S. President Barack Obama.

In a meeting at the White House, visiting Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi and U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice discussed the preparations for Obama's visit to Beijing in early November to attend the informal leadership meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and hold talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Yang said China is willing to closely cooperate with the U.S. side to make all proper preparations for Obama's attending the APEC summit and visiting China.

Noting that positive progress has been made recently in improving bilateral ties, Yang expressed the hope that China and the U.S. will move in the same direction to deepen cooperation and coordination in various areas and on important regional and international issues.

The senior Chinese official also urged the two sides to conduct active interaction and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region, resolve bilateral issues in a constructive way, and seek more tangible achievements in building a new model of major-country relationship, thus making active contributions to enhancing regional and global peace, stability and prosperity.

Rice said that President Obama is looking forward to attending the upcoming APEC summit and meeting with President Xi again. The U.S. side is willing to make joint efforts with China to ensure Obama's visit a success and to promote active results of the APEC summit, she said.

She pledged that Washington is committed to continuing the efforts to build a new model of major-country relationship with China, and is willing to strengthen bilateral cooperation with China in various areas, and jointly deal with regional and global challenges.

During their meeting, the two officials also exchanged views on a range of issues of mutual concern, including bilateral trade and economic ties, counterterrorism, the Ebola epidemic, the situation in West Asia and North Africa, and the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula.

Yang already held talks with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Boston on Saturday.

Earlier Monday, Yang held a meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel at the Pentagon, during which the two sides pledged to continue the efforts to ensure the healthy development of bilateral military relations.