On December 21, Ambassador Xu Jianguo met with Ambassador Thaddeus Dan Hart, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs, in the Chinese embassy.

Xu appreciated the efforts made by Hart to promote the bilateral relations during the meeting. He expressed his willingness to be in close contacts with Hart to push forward the friendship of the two countries.

Hart agreed that "it is in the interest of the two countries to strengthen the partnership" and he pledged to continue to enhance the cordial ties.