On the evening of April 20, 2006, Chinese President Hu Jintao attended the dinner hosted by 12 US friendly organizations in Washington and delivered an important speech entitled Promoting the All-round Constructive and Cooperative China-US Relationship. He stressed that following the road of peaceful development has deep historical and cultural foundation in China and complies with the national spirit cultivated during several thousands of years of development of the Chinese culture, the lofty pursuit of loving and cherishing peace of modern Chinese people and the progress of the times and the development direction of the human society. Only by creating a peaceful environment can countries in the world enjoy the precondition of development. Only by strengthening exchanges and expanding cooperation can countries in the world achieve common development.

HU noted that the purpose of his visit to the US at the invitation of President Bush is to reinforce dialogue, broaden consensus, increase mutual trust and deepen cooperation with the US and push forward the all-round development of the constructive and cooperative China-US relations in the 21st century. During his visit what impresses him most is that China and the US share the strong aspiration of further developing the bilateral relations and have realized that China-US relations have gone beyond bilateral relationship and are gaining increasing global significance.

Hu stressed that our age is full of opportunities and challenges. The world is experiencing fundamental changes, so is the production and living style of mankind and the people-to-people, people-to-nature and country-to-country relations. China upholds that faced with the fundamental changes of the world and emerging challenges all countries around the globe should make concerted efforts to promote the development and progress of the international community; the will of peoples around the world should be respected to push for the democratization and legalization of international relations and reform and improve the current international system and order step by step so as to push them in a more fair and reasonable direction; the new security concept of mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality and cooperation should be set up and disputes be solved through dialogue and negotiations to maintain world peace and security; greater attention should be paid to the issue of development and efforts be made to support the developing countries in accelerating their development and reform and improve the international trade and financial mechanism to drive economic globalization in a direction beneficial to realizing common prosperity; the historical and cultural traditions and the characteristics of development stages of different countries should be respected and dialogue between civilizations be strengthened to maintain the diversity of the world and speed up the progress of human civilization.

Hu pointed out that China unswervingly follows the road of peaceful development. Taking the road of peaceful development is a necessary requirement of achieving the goal of modernization in China. The most urgent and realistic task of China is to concentrate on economic development and improve people's livelihood. Following the road of peaceful development, China insists on integrating the fundamental interest of the Chinese people with the common interest of all peoples in the world and plays a responsible and constructive role of promoting world peace and development.

Hu noted that over the 27 years since the establishment of China-US diplomatic ties the bilateral relations have been advancing in general despite of twists and turns. China-US friendship is the common aspiration of the two peoples and mutually beneficial cooperation is a correct choice of both nations. We should view and handle China-US relations from a wide and deep strategic perspective and with the mindset of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation and ensure the bilateral relations move forward steadily along the sound track of constructive relationship. Hu raised six proposals on developing China-US relations. First, increasing understanding, expanding common ground and building long-term and stable constructive and cooperative China-U.S. relations; second, seizing opportunities, being creative, consolidating and expanding the foundation for bilateral economic cooperation and trade; third, adhering to principles, honoring commitments and properly handling the Taiwan question in line with the three China-US Joint Communiqués; fourth, maintaining close consultations, coping with challenges and strengthening communications and coordination on major international and regional issues; fifth, learning the experiences from each other and enhancing friendly exchanges between the two peoples; sixth, respecting each other, treating each other as equals and viewing and managing differences properly.

In conclusion, Hu said that let us join hands to push forward the all-round constructive and cooperative China-US relations and make greater contribution to the welfare of the Chinese and US people and the noble cause of peace and development of mankind.

The dinner was jointly hosted by 12 friendly organizations including the US-China Business Council (USCBS), the National Committee on United States - China Relations and the American Chamber of Commerce and attended by over 900 personnel from all circles of society of the two countries. Delegates extended warm applause for Hu's speech.

US Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao made a speech on behalf of President Bush. She said that Hu's visit is of historic significance. The US and Chinese people share deep feeling and both countries have conducted rich exchanges in such fields as economy and trade, education and culture. She expressed hope that President Hu would return to China with a good memory of this visit. Chairman Michael L. Eskew of the USCBS noted that the visit of President Hu Jintao is very important and helps consolidate the foundation of bilateral relations, draw the two countries closer and benefit the two peoples. President Thomas Donohue of the US Chamber of Commerce said that the Chinese economy has made world-acclaimed achievements and brought about tangible benefits to the US and the Chinese people. The US business community believes that the US-China economic and trade cooperation enjoys great potential and expects to see the sustainable and healthy development of US-China relations.

On the evening, Hu also met with staffs of the Chinese embassy in the United States and representatives of Chinese-funded organizations, overseas Chinese students and overseas Chinese.