On the noon of March 12, local time, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi delivered a speech on how to advance China-U.S. relations in the 21st Century at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington.

In the speech, Yang pointed out that the most important purpose of his visit is to make preparations for the meeting between President Hu Jintao and President Barack Obama in London in early April. The upcoming meeting between the two presidents in London is of great significance for China-U.S. relations in the new era. After three decades of development and accumulation, China-U.S. relationship has been at a new historical starting point. In the 21st century when mankind faces major opportunities and challenges, the strategic foundation of China-U.S. relations lies in their major and unique responsibility of maintaining world peace and stability, their ever expanding common interests in promoting sustainable economic development in the world and the longstanding friendship and mutual-learning between the two peoples. Gone should be the days when countries competed at the expense of each other's interests under a zero-sum mentality. China and the United States should and can set an example in achieving win-win progress and making greater joint efforts for an even better world. Both sides should adopt a strategic and long-term perspective and keep the relations on the right track. The two countries should work together to raise China-U.S. relations to a new and much higher level of cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, seeking common ground while shelving differences and cooperation for win-win results.

Yang emphasized that China and the United States should maintain close dialogue and exchanges at the top and other levels and cement the political foundation of the relations. In two weeks' time, President Hu Jintao and President Obama will meet in London. The meeting will chart the course for the future growth of China-U.S. relations. The two sides should launch the "China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue" mechanism at an early date to further enhance mutual trust and cooperation.

Yang pointed out that the two sides should expand mutually-beneficial cooperation. The priority for China and the United States at the moment is to tackle the international financial crisis through intensified cooperation. He urged both sides to strengthen macroeconomic policy dialogue and coordination, deepen and expand bilateral trade cooperation and work together to oppose protectionism in various forms and maintain world financial and economic stability and development. Both sides should enhance cooperation in climate change, energy, the environment, counter-terrorism, nonproliferation, military-to-military relations, science and technology, culture and health. Yang also suggested both sides strengthen coordination and cooperation on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, the Iranian nuclear issue and other regional and international issues.

Yang said both sides should promote people-to-people exchanges and dialogue between different social sectors to build stronger public support for the relations.

Yang also elaborated on the principled position of the Chinese government on the issues concerning Taiwan and Tibet, pointing out that both sides should respect and accommodate each other's core interests and make every effort to minimize potential disruption and damage to the relations.

Yang finally emphasized that China and the United States should continuously expand bilateral relations and build sustained, sound and stable relations, as this not only serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples, but also contributes to world peace, stability and development. He urged both sides to work together for a splendid future of China-U.S. relations in the 21st century.

On the same day, Yang also met with U.S. special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke.