John Kerry Visits China

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry opened his 24-hour China visit on the morning of February 14 by meeting President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People. He also met Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and State Councilor Yang Jiechi and held talks with Foreign Minister Wang Yi later in the day.

Premier Li Keqiang urged progress on investment treaty negotiations and closer cooperation on energy and environment while meeting with Kerry.

Calling China and the United States the worlds largest developing and developed countries， Li said strategic coordination and cooperation between the two sides helps to build a new type of major-country relationship， while promoting regional and world peace， development and prosperity.

Li urged the United States to step forward in direct exports of liquefied natural gas to China and joint exploration of shale gas. The premier also called for closer China-U.S. technological cooperation in countering climate change.

Kerry， on his second China visit since taking office last February， told Li that constructive dialogue and cooperation is of vital importance.

He said the United States would like to expand trade cooperation with China， push forward bilateral investment treaty negotiations， strengthen coordination on global issues such as climate change， cement U.S.-China ties， and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.

Fifty Years of Sino-Franco Relations

A reception to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France was held in Beijing on January 27， 2014. Zhang Dejiang， chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National Peoples Congress and Claude Bartolone， president of the French National Assembly， gave speeches at the reception.

In his speech， Zhang said that the diplomatic ties set a new model for peaceful coexistence between countries with different political systems and had an immense and profound impact on the international situation. He pointed out that the shared political trust based on mutual respect has been the most precious asset to bilateral ties over the past 50 years. He also emphasized the new opportunities for development of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Bartolone said the establishment of diplomatic ties was globally influential and showed Frances diplomatic tradition of independence. He added that France and China should advance their bilateral relationship with a long-term perspective， strengthen political dialogue， boost economic ties and increase people-topeople exchanges.

Chinese President Xi Jinping Meets Belarusian Prime Minister

Chinese President Xi Jinping met visiting Belarusian Prime Minister Mikhail Myasnikovich at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on January 21， 2014.

Xi praised Myasnikovich for his important contributions to China-Belarus relations. He called for continued development of the comprehensive strategic partnership， and further cooperation in industry， high-tech， finance， and transport.

Myasnikovich spoke highly of Chinas accomplishments in recent years and expressed his best wishes for Chinese people to realize their dreams. He also favored learning from China and working together to strengthen bilateral high-level exchanges and practical cooperation.

China and India Launch Year of Friendship

China and India launched the Year of Friendship on January 24， 2014 in Beijing. It coincided with a banquet to mark Indias 65th Republic Day. Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao attended the event and gave a speech. Li said that although bilateral relations have encountered trials and tribulations in the six decades since China and India established diplomatic relations， a strategic partnership of promoting peace and prosperity has been formed. India has witnessed remarkable achievements in recent years and has become one of the most dynamic emerging markets in the world. As a neighboring country， China is happy about Indias progress. China-India ties are facing new opportunities. China will stick to the policy of “building friendship and partnership with neighboring countries” and make joint efforts with India to upgrade their strategic partnership by strengthening mutual trust， expanding friendly exchanges and cooperation， properly handling historical legacies， and strengthening cooperation on major and regional issues.

Indian Ambassador to China Ashok Kantha emphasized that India would like to work together with China to take the strategic partnership to new heights. The world needs the two countries to maintain their relations as friends and partners to achieve coprosperity.