China a great power

Chinese President Hu Jintao and his American counterpart Barack Obama held their first meeting here on Wednesday where they vowed to work together to deal with the global economic crisis.

The two leaders, meeting ahead of Thursday’s G20 summit, discussed issues of common interest with Mr. Obama praising China for its “constructive” role in international affairs.

Mr. Hu declared that good relations with America were not only in the interests of the two countries but also “beneficial to peace, stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region, and the world at large” .

He said he hoped to establish “good working relationship and personal friendship” with Mr. Obama.

Describing China as a “great power”, Mr. Obama said America’s relations with Beijing had become “extremely constructive”.

“Our economic relations are very strong,” he stressed describing his talks with the Chinese President as “productive” and “open.”