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Obama's Opening Remarks | U.S./CHINA Strategic & Economic Dialogue

July 27, 2009

Obama opened a two day U.S. / China meeting with a statement addressing several important issues, including the need for cooperation on climate change:

“The United States and China are the two largest consumers of energy in the world. We are also the two largest emitters of greenhouse gases in the world. Let’s be frank: Neither of us profits from a growing dependence on foreign oil, nor can we spare our people from the ravages of climate change unless we cooperate. Common sense calls upon us to act in concert.

Both of our countries are taking steps to transform our energy economies. Together we can chart a low carbon recovery; we can expand joint efforts at research and development to promote the clean and efficient use of energy; and we can work together to forge a global response at the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen and beyond. And the best way to foster the innovation that can increase our security and prosperity is to keep our markets open to new ideas, new exchanges, and new sources of energy.”

See Obama’s complete statement via whitehouse.gov briefing