Economic cooperation

The two leaders exchanged views on the current global financial situation and held that despite the positive signs of the global economic recovery, the foundation of the global economic recovery was far from solid.

Hu and Obama agreed to strengthen dialogue and cooperation on macro-economic policies, properly handle trade frictions through negotiations and jointly ensure the bilateral economic and trade ties to develop in a healthy and steady way.

"I stressed to President Obama that under the current situation, our two countries should oppose and resist protectionism in all forms in an even stronger stand," he said.

Visiting US President Barack Obama reacts during a press conference held with Chinese President Hu Jintao following their official talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Nov. 17, 2009.[Liu Jiansheng/Xinhua]

Hu said both China and the United States appreciated the key role of the G20 summit in coping with the global financial crisis.

"China and the United States would work together with all other members to fully carry out the commitments of all G20 summits and continuously strengthen the role of G20 in the management of the global economy, while pushing forward international financial system reform and improving global economic order to guard against and cope with future crisis," Hu said.

Climate change, energy and environment

The two presidents also agreed to improve cooperation in climate change, energy and environment.

Hu said China and the United States would cooperate with all sides concerned, on the basis of the "common but differentiated responsibilities" principle and their respective capabilities to help produce positive results at next month's Copenhagen summit on climate change.

China and the United States had signed documents of cooperation including a memorandum of understanding on enhancing cooperation on climate change, energy and the environment, and the two countries had formally launched a joint research center on clean energy, he said.

Chinese President Hu Jintao shakes hands with visiting US President Barack Obama after they meet the press at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Nov. 17, 2009. [Li Xueren/Xinhua]

Hu said the two leaders also agreed to deepen cooperation on the basis of mutual benefits in areas such as anti-terrorism, law enforcement, science and technology, space exploration, civil aviation, high-speed railway, infrastructure, agriculture and health care.