China and the United States have agreed to build a cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit, according to a joint statement issued?in Washington D.C.?Wednesday.

"China and the United States are committed to work together to build a cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit in order to promote the common interests of both countries and to address the 21st century's opportunities and challenges," it said.

The China-U.S. joint statement was issued after official talks between visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao and his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama at the White House.

"China and the United States are actively cooperating on a wide range of security, economic, social, energy, and environmental issues which require deeper bilateral engagement and coordination," it said.

"The two presidents shared a deep belief that a stronger China-U.S. relationship not only serves the fundamental interests of their respective peoples, but also benefits the entire Asia-Pacific region and the world," it said.

The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to building a positive, cooperative, and comprehensive China-U.S. relationship for the 21st century.

Recognizing the importance of the common challenges that they face together, China and the United States decided to continue working toward a partnership that advances common interests, addresses shared concerns, and highlights international responsibilities.

Recognizing that the relationship between China and the United States is both vital and complex, they reiterated the importance of deepening dialogue aimed at expanding practical cooperation and affirmed the need to work together to address areas of disagreement, expand common ground, and strengthen coordination on a range of issues.

The two sides agreed to work further to nurture and deepen bilateral strategic trust to enhance their relations.

"The United States reiterated that it welcomes a strong, prosperous, and successful China that plays a greater role in world affairs," it said.

Both leaders support efforts to build a more stable, peaceful, and prosperous Asia-Pacific region for the 21st century.

Both sides underscored the importance of the Taiwan issue in China-U.S. relations.

The Chinese side emphasized that the Taiwan issue concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and expressed the hope that the U.S. side will honor its relevant commitments and appreciate and support the Chinese side's position on this issue.

The U.S. side stated that the United States follows its one-China policy and abides by the principles of the three China-U.S. joint communiques.

China and the United States reiterated their commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, even as they continue to have significant differences on these issues.

China and the United States affirmed that a healthy, stable, and reliable military-to-military relationship is an essential part of President Hu's and President Obama's shared vision for a positive, cooperative, and comprehensive China-U.S. relationship.

The two nations believe they have a common interest in promoting peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond, and agreed to enhance communication and coordination to address pressing regional and global challenges.

The two presidents recognized the vital importance of working together to build a cooperative economic partnership of mutual respect and mutual benefit.

Pledging to strengthen macroeconomic communication and cooperation in support of strong, sustainable and balanced growth in the two nations and the global economy, the two sides also recognized the importance of open trade and investment, and vowed to oppose trade protectionism.

China and the United States agreed to continue their close consultations on action addressing climate change as they view the issue as well as energy security two of the greatest challenges of our time.

The two nations also agreed to take concrete steps to enhance people-to-people exchanges.

Hu arrived in the U.S. capital of Washington Tuesday for his second state visit aimed at enhancing the positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship between China and the United States. His last visit was in April 2006.