Although both China and the United States opposed the creation of a G-2, an informal special relationship between the two countries, they have enhanced cooperation on global governance in 2009. Chinese President Hu Jintao and US President Barack Obama met three times in 2009.

The first time was at the G-20 summit in London in April. They made a statement saying they were willing to build positive, cooperative and comprehensive bilateral relations in the 21st century, establish a Sino-American strategic partnership and economic dialogue mechanism, and move relations to a sphere that meets both side's core interests. The two presidents also agreed to shoulder important responsibilities together on major issues such as peace, stability, development and prosperity. They proposed to respect each other and consider more of their common interests.

In September, the two presidents met again, this time at the G-20 summit in Pittsburgh. They declared their London statement to be in operation and noted that comprehensive bilateral relations between the two were necessary because they both faced the same challenges on regional and global issues.

Obama met Hu for the third time this year in November on a state visit to China. He also met with some of the top Chinese leaders. The two sides again discussed China-US relations and how to enhance mutual trust and strengthen cooperation. They also talked about the global recovery, regional and global issues, climate change and environment issues.

Some leaders from China's National People's Congress and military also visited the U.S. this year. These communications have contributed to closer relations between the countries' legislatures and advanced military-to-military relations. The visit by leaders of the US House of Representatives and several senior cabinet ministers and chief executives to China also enhanced the relationship between the two countries and helped them understand each other better. They agreed that the two countries should boost joint responsibility of major issues, such as the financial crisis, transnational crime, the spread of nuclear weapons and climate change.

But their different levels of development means the two countries still have different understandings of development methods and goals. This is reflected in their differing opinions on the definition of the "common but differentiated responsibilities" principle of the Kyoto Protocol. Some other sensitive issues, such as Taiwan, also result in friction. The two sides still need to make efforts to reduce differences, enhance mutual trust and strengthen cooperation in the future.

(This article was first published in Chinese in the Xinmin Evening Paper on December 20, 2009 and translated by Wu Huanshu.)