Chinese, U.S. presidents talk over phone about bilateral ties, flu epidemic

Special Report: World Tackles A/H1N1 Flu 

BEIJING, May 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu
Jintao and his U.S. counterpart, Barack Obama, on Wednesday discussed bilateral
relations and the A/H1N1 flu epidemic during a telephone conversation.

Hu recalled that during their meeting at the Group of
20 summit in London in early April, he and Obama agreed to work together to
build a positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship in the 21st
century.

The two leaders also reached extensive consensus on
the establishment of the mechanism of China-U.S. Strategic and Economic
Dialogues, joint efforts to tackle the international financial crisis, and
enhanced coordination and cooperation on major global and regional issues, Hu
said.

"Now, both countries are seriously implementing the
consensus," the Chinese president said.

"China is willing to work with the United States to
push for a healthy and stable development of China-U.S. relations," he said.

Obama, for his part, said the meeting with Hu was
important because it outlined the future development of bilateral cooperation
and made a good start on the China-U.S. strategic dialogue.

The United States appreciated China's efforts to
promote bilateral relations, he said.

The Chinese president expressed sincere condolences
over the A/H1N1 flu epidemic that has hit parts of the United States, and said
the Chinese government has started emergency measures to prevent a spread of the
disease.

"We are willing to keep contact with the World Health
Organization, the United States and other parties concerned, and strengthen
cooperation to jointly confront this public health challenge," Hu said.

Obama said his country has adopted effective measures
against the disease and will continue to keep a close eye on the outbreak.

The U.S. president said he was looking forward to
meeting with Hu again during a meeting of leaders of the Group of Eight nations
and developing countries in Italy. Obama said he was also looking forward to
visiting China.

The two leaders also exchanged views on such issues
as the situation on the Korean Peninsula and the situation in South
Asia.