Beijing, 19 September: Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said at a regular news conference on the 19th: US Secretary of Treasury Henry M. Paulson will visit China starting from the 19th. The Chinese side looks forward to his China visit, expects to exchange views with him on issues of mutual concern to China and the United States, and believes his visit will enhance understanding and mutual trust between the two countries.
US Secretary of Treasury Henry M. Paulson arrived in Hangzhou on the 19th to begin his visit in China. He will hold talks with Xi Jinping, secretary of the Zhejiang provincial CCP [Chinese Communist Party] committee. He will visit Beijing 20-22 September. During his stay in Beijing, he will meet with Chinese leaders and hold talks with Vice-Premier Wu Yi. He will also hold talks with relevant responsible officials of the State Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Information Industry, and Ministry of Public Health. In addition, he will hold informal discussions with Chinese entrepreneurs and college students.
Qin Gang said: The two sides will exchange views on Sino-US relations, particularly on ways to strengthen cooperation and exchange in trade, financial and economic, and banking areas and on ways to push forward the Sino-US constructive and cooperative relations [Chinese: jian she xing he zuo guan xi]. Strengthening Sino-US dialogue and consultation in the financial and economic field and promoting the further development of bilateral relations are the consensus of the two countries, which facilitates economic cooperation and trade between the two countries and the development of their constructive and cooperative relations. It will have an impact on global economic growth, stability, and security.
“Paulson’s visit will be one that will enhance understanding and mutual trust,” said Qin Gang.
Speaking of the likely topics during the bilateral talks, Qin Gang said: “China and the United States both have their respective interests and concerns, and they will take this opportunity to express their interests and concerns. However, it is important that both sides should proceed from the vital interests of bilateral relations, recognize the broad common interests in their relations, and carry out dialogue and consultation based on the principle of equality and mutual benefits to appropriately handle issues appearing in the two countries’ economic and trade relations.”
Regarding the exchange rate of Renminbi, Qin Gang said the ultimate goal of reforming RMB’s exchange rate is to enable it to better reflect changes in the supply and demand in the marketplace. “The US side has its concern on this matter while the Chinese side also has its own concern. This issue should not be allowed to interfere in the normal development of the economic relations and trade between China and the United States. Economic and trade issues should not be politicized.”
Source: Xinhua news agency, Beijing, in Chinese 0956 gmt 19 Sep 06