WASHINGTON, Mar. 12, 2009 (Xinhua News Agency) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Thursday delivered a speech entitled "Broaden China-U.S. Cooperation in the 21st Century" at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington.

The following is the full text of the speech.

Broaden China-U.S. Cooperation in the 21st Century

Speech by Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi

At the Center for Strategic and International Studies

Washington D.C., 12 March, 2009 Dr. John Hamre, President John Frisbie, Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends,

I want to thank the CSIS and the U.S.-China Business Council (USCBC) for hosting this event. It is a real pleasure to meet friends, both old and new, here. Over the years, the CSIS and the USCBC have stood at the forefront of China-U.S. exchanges and worked hard to promote mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation between people of our two countries. And all of you present have done a great deal to push forward our relations. Let me take this opportunity to pay tribute and express sincere thanks to you for your efforts.

We are now in early spring. There is an old Chinese saying which goes, "A year's success starts from work in spring." It means that plowing and sowing in spring is crucial to agricultural production and harvest of the whole year.

The most important purpose of my visit is to make preparations for the meeting between President Hu Jintao and President Barack Obama in London in early April. Yesterday, I had good discussion with both Secretary Clinton and Secretary Geithner. We covered a wide range of issues, including the bilateral agenda and regional and international affairs, and reached much consensus. Both sides agree that solid ground work has already been done by the two sides for the very important London meeting between our two heads of state. Today I will have the honor of meeting President Obama and Vice President Biden. I'll also see National Security Advisor General Jones. Let me say that the two sides share the view that the upcoming meeting between our two presidents in London is of great significance for China-U.S. relations in the new era. Both sides are committed to pushing forward this vitally important relationship between our two countries.

Early this year, our two countries held big celebrations of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations. I attended some of these commemorative events with many old and new friends. A review of the past gives me a lot of food for thought. The tremendous progress of China-U.S. relations goes well beyond what those who were most optimistic about this relationship 30 years ago have ever expected. People want to know, in the 21st century when mankind faces major opportunities and challenges, what is the strategic foundation of China-U.S. relations. This is a question that I often ask myself too.

I for one believe the strategic foundation of China-U.S.