The visiting Chinese leader presented the course forward at a joint press conference at the White House with his U.S counterpart Barack Obama following their eighth meeting in two years.

During the talks, conducted in "a candid, pragmatic and constructive atmosphere," the two sides reached "important agreement on China-U.S relations and major international and regional issues of shared interests," according to the Chinese president.

Citing the growing number of global challenges, the Chinese President stressed that Beijing and Washington "share expanding common interests and shoulder increasing common responsibilities."

Accordingly, he added, the two sides have agreed to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in economy, trade, environment, education, science and technology, non-proliferation and counter-terrorism among many other fields.

During Hu's ongoing state visit, the two countries signed a number of cooperation agreements. "These will inject fresh momentum into our bilateral cooperation and create a great many job opportunities for our two countries," Hu said.

On the situation on the Korean Peninsula, he said that both countries agreed to work together with relevant parties to maintain peace and stability on the peninsula, promote denuclearization of the peninsula and achieve lasting peace and security in Northeast Asia.

The Chinese leader reaffirmed China's firm commitment to the path of peaceful development and a win-win strategy of opening up, and appreciated Obama's commitment to a positive and constructive China policy.

For his part, Obama said that his country welcomes China's rise and that cooperation between the two countries is good for the two sides and for the whole world.

Noting that China is one of the top markets for U.S exports, Obama said that annual U.S exports to China in goods and services support "more than half a million American jobs."

He also lauded China's extraordinary economic growth that "has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty," and expressed satisfaction with the dozens of deals between the two sides that will increase U.S exports "by more than US$45 billion."

The U.S President also reaffirmed his country's commitment to the one-China policy.