China hosts 'heavyweight' U.S. delegation

BEIJING, April 21 (UPI) -- China's vice premier welcomed a senior U.S. congressional delegation to Beijing saying it was a great pleasure to meet 10 "heavyweight U.S. senators."

Wang Qishan told Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and his nine congressional colleagues that such a senior delegation reflected "the weight you place on China-U.S. relations," China Daily reported.

"We may not have started this journey as heavyweights," Reid said. "But having spent two days in Hong Kong and Macao eating as we did, we are all heavyweights."

The visit that began Wednesday will focus on issues ranging from politics and diplomacy to clean energy and trade.

"The China-U.S. relationship is not limited to the two countries, but has global impacts," Wang said.

He promised that China will advance reform, restructure its economy and strike a balance between domestic consumption and external demand.

In addition to talks, the week-long visit will include a ride on China's high-speed rail and a visit to a clean energy company in Hebei province.