Hu put forward a three-point proposal on advancing the bilateral ties in a sound and rapid manner, including enhancing political mutual trust, promoting the construction of the cooperation mechanism and upgrading strategic cooperation on international affairs.

The two sides also signed the 2010-2014 Joint Action Plan and a number of cooperation documents.

During his four-day visit, President Hu engaged in many bilateral meetings, said the Chinese minister.

Hu and his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama met Monday on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit.

During the meeting, Hu put forward a five-point proposal on improving China-U.S. relations, saying the two sides should persistently make sure bilateral ties develop in the right direction, respect each other's core interests and major concerns, maintain exchanges at different levels, deepen practical cooperation and strengthen communication and coordination on major international and regional issues.

Obama reiterated Washington's willingness to stick to the one-China policy, respect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and its core interests, and address sensitive issues with due care.

The United States also wished to strengthen cooperation with China to seek solutions to global issues such as climate change, counter-terrorism and nuclear non-proliferation, Obama said.

Both sides believe a good China-U.S. relationship serves the common interests of the two countries and contributes to world peace, stability and prosperity, Yang said.

President Hu also met with Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit.

He met with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, South African President Jacob Zuma,and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on the sidelines of the BRIC summit.

Hu cut short his Latin American trip due to a devastating earthquake that hit northwest China's Qinghai Province, killing at least 760 people.

He also postponed visits to Venezuela and Chile after his state visit to Brazil, Yang said.

Hu said the Chinese government is emergently mobilizing quake relief efforts. "At this difficult time, I need to return home as soon as possible to be together with my people and participate in the relief work," he said.

The leaders of Venezuela and Chile said they fully undersood and supported Hu's decision to return home earlier, and expressed condolences and sympathy for the heavy casualties China suffered in the quake, Yang said.