Spotlight: Xi-Obama summit yields fruitful results

Following a busy two-and-a-half-day stay in Seattle, Chinese President Xi Jinping flew to the U.S. capital Washington D.C. and had in-depth, candid and constructive talks with his U.S. counterpart President Barack Obama on Friday at the White House.

The two sides reached extensive consensus and arrived at a series of important outcomes during their Friday summit and three-hour-long talks on ties in the Blair House Thursday night.

NEW MODEL OF MAJOR-COUNTRY RELATIONSHIP

The two sides agreed to continue their endeavor to build a new model of major-country relationship between China and the United States based on mutual respect and win-win cooperation.

The two sides also agreed to maintain close communication and exchanges at various levels, further expand practical cooperation on the bilateral, regional and global levels, and manage differences in a constructive way to achieve new concrete results in China-U.S. relations to the greater benefit of the peoples of the two countries and the world.

Meanwhile, as permanent members of the United Nations (UN) Security Council and countries with significant global influence, the two sides agreed that China and the United States should remain committed to maintaining a strong China-U.S. relationship to contribute to the peace, stability and prosperity of the world and the region.

A MOU TO GUIDE FUTURE COOPERATION

The two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) here Friday to guide future communication and cooperation between the two sides in terms of global development.

The purpose of the MOU is to provide a framework regarding the strengthening of bilateral cooperation in international development to help achieve the two sides' shared objectives in the areas of ending poverty and hunger, promoting sustainable development and implementing the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Recognizing the principle of "raised, agreed and led by recipient countries" as a prerequisite for all China-U.S. cooperation, the MOU identified several domains for China-U.S. cooperation, including food security and nutrition, sustainable agriculture, public health security, humanitarian assistance and disaster preparedness, among others.

The MOU also established a mechanism for communication on global development issues and common development challenges.

CLIMATE CHANGE JOINT PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT

The two heads of state issued a new China-U.S. Joint Presidential Statement on Climate Change, reiterating their resolve to work together and with others toward an ambitious, successful outcome of the upcoming climate conference in Paris.

The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to reach an ambitious agreement in 2015 that reflects the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities.

They also reaffirmed their determination to implement domestic climate policies, strengthen bilateral coordination and cooperation and promote sustainable development and the transition to green, low-carbon and climate-resilient economies.

The two countries welcome the outcome of the First Session of the China-U.S. Climate-Smart/Low-Carbon Cities Summit held in Los Angeles on Sept. 15-16, 2015, and look forward to a successful Second Session to be held in Beijing in 2016.

The two sides underpinned the implementation of the China-U.S. Joint Announcement on Climate Change on Nov. 12, 2014 made by the presidents of China and the United States during Obama's state visit to Beijing, to support industries and the environment, and to improve citizens' healthcare and quality of life.

CONSENSUS ON FIGHTING CYBER CRIMES

China and the United States have reached important consensus on the joint fight against cyber crimes, and have agreed to step up investigation assistance and information sharing on cyber crime cases.

Both governments would not engage in or knowingly support online theft of intellectual property, Xi said at a joint press conference after the summit at the White House, adding that the two sides will explore the formulation of appropriate norms of behavior in cyber space.

The two countries have also agreed to establish a high-level dialogue mechanism on the fight against cyber crimes, the Chinese president said.

"China and the United States are two major cyber countries and we should strengthen dialogue and cooperation," Xi said, adding that confrontation and friction are not the right choice for both sides.

Obama said the United States and China have made "significant progress" in agreeing to how the two countries can work together, exchange information, and go after individuals or entities that are engaging in cyber crimes or cyber attacks.

He also stressed the importance for the United States and China to work with other countries and the UN, as well as the private sector, to start developing a protocol to govern behavior in cyber space.

In Washington, Xi also attended a luncheon hosted by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry, met U.S. parliament leaders and attended a state dinner.

The Chinese president will be in New York from Sept. 26 to 28 for a series of summits and meetings marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.

In June 2013, three months after Xi took over the Chinese presidency, he traveled to the U.S. state of California and held a no-necktie summit with Obama, during which they agreed to build a new model of major-country relationship between the two countries.

Obama paid a state visit to China in November 2014, during which he and his Chinese counterpart enjoyed an exceptional night stroll in the Zhongnanhai compound in central Beijing. They also met in September 2013 and in March 2014 on the sidelines of two international summits. Endi