At the joint press conference following the summit, Hu said that he reached important consensus with U.S. President Barack Obama during the talks, and both sides agreed to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in economy and trade, energy and environment, science and technology, infrastructure construction, culture and education, counter-terrorism, non-proliferation, law enforcement and other areas so as to achieve mutual benefit.

Chinese President Hu Jintao shakes hands with U.S. President Barack Obama during a bilateral meeting at the White House in Washington, the United States, Jan. 19, 2011. [Xinhua/Lan Hongguang]

Saying his talks with Obama were conducted "under candid, pragmatic and constructive atmosphere," Hu said China appreciates Obama's commitment to a positive and constructive China policy, and to stable and growing China-U.S. relations since he took office two years ago.

Hu noted that China and the United States share expanding common interests and shoulder increasing common responsibilities, and voiced support for expanding military exchanges between the two sides.

On the situation on the Korean Peninsula, he said both countries agreed to work together with relevant parties to maintain peace and stability on the peninsula, promote denuclearization of the peninsula and achieve lasting peace and security in Northeast Asia.

The Chinese leader reaffirmed China's firm commitment to the path of peaceful development and a win-win strategy of opening up, saying "China is a friend and partner of all countries, and China's development is an opportunity for the world."

Meanwhile, Hu said he and Obama discussed some disagreements in the economic and trade area, with both sides pledging "to continue to appropriately resolve these according to the principle of mutual respect and consultation on an equal footing."

At the press conference, Hu also called on China and the United States to work together to tackle global challenges, citing terrorism, security of humanity, international financial crisis and growth of the world economy while calling for increased people-to-people exchanges.

After their official talks, the two sides issued a joint statement, which said that the two countries have agreed to build a cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit, reaffirming their commitment to building a positive, cooperative, and comprehensive China-U.S. relationship for the 21st century.

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