Vice-Premiers Liu Yandong and Wang Yang, State Councilor Yang Jiechi and other representatives of President Xi Jinping — in Washington to attend the seventh Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) and the sixth High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange (CPE) -- met with US President Barack Obama at the White House on June 24.

In Xi’s message to Obama — conveyed by Vice-Premier Liu — he said he would pay a state visit to the United States at the invitation of the US president. Xi said he hopes the two leaders can discuss their countries’ future relations; form a strategic cooperation plan and promote practical cooperation in various fields. He also said that the two should avoid misunderstandings and control disputes for their mutual benefit.

US President Obama (not seen in this photo) meets with Chinese vice-premiers Liu Yandong (2nd L) and Wang Yang (L), as well as State Councilor Yang Jiechi (3rd L) at the White House in Washington DC, June 24, 2015.[Photo/Xinhua]

Obama said he appreciated Xi’s message and asked the representatives to convey his regards to the Chinese president. Obama said that he was glad that the dialogue and the consultation achieved fruitful results, which paves the way for a successful visit by Xi in September. He also said that Xi’s visit will further promote bilateral relations, and show the world that the two countries will make efforts for constructive cooperation and face global challenges together.

Liu listed more than 400 achievements since the CPE was established in 2010, covering seven areas: education, science and technology, culture, health, youth, women and sport. In the two days of meetings, the two sides focused on cooperation and achieved many goals, she said.

US President Obama (1st R) meets with Chinese vice-premiers Liu Yandong and Wang Yang, as well as State Councilor Yang Jiechi at the White House in Washington DC, June 24, 2015.[Photo/Xinhua]

Wang said that the two countries had in-depth dialogue on important issues concerning bilateral and global economic issues. Mutual understanding was increased and consensus reached in many fields such as climate change, energy cooperation and economic cooperation, he said. The two sides will maintain close communication and prepare for the two leaders’ meetings.

Yang said that the two sides exchanged ideas on the building a new type of major-country relationship; bilateral practical cooperation; sensitive issues; and the two countries’ relations in the Asia-Pacific region, which he said he believed can help increase mutual trust, control disputes and promote the development of bilateral relations.