China praises warmer ties in visits from Summers, Carter

China and the U.S. praised a warming in relations as National Economic Council Chairman Larry Summers and former President Jimmy Carter on Monday visited Beijing for talks.

Vice Premier Wang Qishan sat down for closed-door discussions with Summers and Deputy National Security Adviser Thomas Donilon.

Agence France-Presse reported Summers said President Obama emphasizes "the importance he attaches to a very strong relationship between the United States and China, and to President Hu's upcoming visit to the United States." Arranging a meeting in Washington is on Summers's agenda.

"I think we all benefit from candid conversation that enables us both to understand each other's thinking," Summers said before talks.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao sat down with Carter, according to the state-run Xinhua news agency, and voiced optimism the U.S. and China would weather recent relationship strains.

"Since the two countries established diplomatic ties 31 years ago, China-U.S. relations have weathered various tests and always moved forward," Wen said. "China is ready to work with the U.S. to fend off various risks and continually push forward the relationship."

Carter was in China for a conference on international sister cities in Shanghai and a peace festival in Hunan Province, Xinhua reported.

Tensions between the two countries have included U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, President Obama meeting with the Dalai Lama and congressional pressure on currency manipulation.

Congressional Democrats are frustrated the Treasury Department has not labeled China a currency manipulator, but they have yet to vote on legislation that would punish China’s exports. 

One reason is pressure from the administration. White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel has asked Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), the most outspoken critic of China’s currency policy, to hold off on his legislation. 

The administration worries a successful vote on China currency legislation would be a setback to U.S.-China relations.