China, U.S. agree to respect 'core interests' - diplomat

BEIJING (Reuters) - China has an understanding with the United States for each to respect the core interests of the other, a senior Chinese diplomat said on Wednesday, calling for positive ties ahead of a Washington trip by China's president following a period of tension.

An April 2 telephone call between President Hu Jintao and U.S. President Barack Obama "reached an important new consensus", Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai told a news conference before Hu's trip to attend a nuclear security conference on April 12-13 hosted by Obama.


National flags of U.S. and China wave in front of an international hotel in Beijing in this February 4, 2010 file photo. (REUTERS/Jason Lee/Files)
The two agreed their countries should "respect each other's core interests and major concerns, appropriately handling disputes and sensitive issues, strengthening communication and cooperation in various spheres," Cui said.