Hello and welcome to this edition of CRI Roundup brought to you by China Radio International. I'm Kelda Yuen in Beijing.

In this edition, we will focus on US President Barack Obama's just concluded state visit to China.

Don't go away.

China-US relations have been seen as one of the most important relationships in the 21st century. But how relations will develop during Obama's presidency arouses concerns among political analysts from both countries.

With Obama's first state visit to China, analysts say the president and top Chinese leaders have set a basic tone for the future development of bilateral relations.

U.S. President Barack Obama (front) attends a town hall meeting with Chinese youths in the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum on Monday, November 16, 2009. [Photo: Xinhuanet]

Kicking off his four-day visit, President Obama held a town hall style forum with local university students in Shanghai.

He urged the younger generation to continue the commitments of building bridges between the two countries. The president said cooperation must be rooted in people from both sides, especially the younger generation.

"I strongly believe the cooperation must go beyond our government. It must be rooted in our people, in the studies we share, the business that we do, the knowledge that we gain, and even in the sports that we play, and these bridges must be built by young men and women just like you and your counterparts in America."

He also mentioned that China and the U.S. hold shared responsibilities in solving global challenges.

"Today, we have a positive, constructive, and comprehensive relationship that opens the door to partnership on the key global issues of our time. Economic recovery and the development of clean energy, stopping the spread of nuclear weapons and the scourge of climate change, the promotion of peace and security in Asia and around the globe. Indeed because of our cooperation, both the United States and China are more prosperous and more secure."

Chinese President Hu Jintao shakes hands with visiting U.S. President Barack Obama after they meet the press at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Nov. 17, 2009. [Photo: Xinhua]

Obama's second stop was Beijing, where he held talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao.

The high level talks between the two nations produced a China-U.S. Joint Statement which highlighted future Sino-US cooperation.

In the statement, the United States reiterated that it welcomes China to play a greater role in world affairs as well as its support for the one China policy.

"The United States respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China. And once again we have reaffirmed a strong commitment to the one-China policy."

Both sides also stressed the importance of the six-party talks process and the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.

Both countries also emphasized combating climate change and the development of clean energy.

Chinese President Hu Jintao spoke of these issues during a joint press conference with President Obama in Beijing.

"We have agreed to expand our cooperation on climate change, energy, and the environment. We have also agreed to act on the basis of the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and consistent with our respective capabilities to work with other parties concerned, to help produce positive outcomes out of the Copenhagen conference. The departments of China and the United States have already signed a number of cooperation agreements, including the memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation in energy and environment. The two sides have also officially launched the initiative of developing a China-U.S. clean energy research center."

Amid the financial crisis and other global challenges, analysts say that a strong Sino-U.S. relationship will be vital to resolve international issues.

Victor Gao, Director of the China National Association of International Studies, says mutual trust and stronger ties are necessary between the two nations.

"The two countries, rather than adopting escalating mutual punitive measures against each other in trade relations or otherwise, will offer more incentives to one another and move each other in the right direction. Because if China and the United States cannot see eye to eye on major issues like climate change, like energy, like anti-terrorism, like disaster relief, etc, then how can we expect that there will be greater peace and development in the world?"

U.S. President Barack Obama visits the Badaling section of the Great Wall in Beijing on Nov. 18, 2009. [Photo: CNSphoto]

Obama's schedule during his visit to China was not completely filled with meetings. He also took time to visit the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. The U.S. President also mentioned he would like to visit Shanghai for the World Expo next year.

And with that, we conclude this edition of CRI Roundup. If you have any comments or suggestions, or would like to listen to any of our programs, you can visit our website at crienglish.com.

I'm Kelda Yuen in Beijing. Thank you for listening, and stay tuned for more on China Radio International.