The US and China have failed to agree on Chinese entry into the World Trade Organisation but have reaffirmed their aim of a "strategic partnership" in the 21st century.
China's hopes that the US would announce support for its efforts to join the WTO while the Prime Minister, Mr Zhu Rongji, was meeting President Clinton yesterday in Washington were not realised as officials said that obstacles to that remained. But a joint statement said that "significant progress" was made and the remaining gaps might be closed by the time the world trade body held its next meeting in November.
In their joint press conference at the White House, President Clinton emphasised that progress had been made in many areas but they had also spoken openly about their disagreements, especially in the area of human rights.
The US appreciated the efforts being made by China towards internal reforms, Mr Clinton said, but he regretted that more progress was not being made in China's relations with Tibet and the Dalai Lama.
Declaring that he was under no illusion that co-operation could resolve all their difficulties, President Clinton denounced the policy of "confrontation for confrontation's sake", which was being promoted by critics. He called on China's leaders to continue their efforts towards political and economic reforms.
He said that the US and China would try and work together in opposing war and terrorism.
A number of co-operation agreements between the two countries were signed, dealing with civil aviation, cleaner energy, housing and job training.
Premier Zhu said that he had been "reluctant" to make this trip in view of all the criticism in the US media about China but he had been urged by American officials to come. He said that his discussions with President Clinton and the Secretary of State, Ms Madeleine Albright, had been "friendly and candid, constructive and fruitful". Good progress had been made on the trade problems.
The Senate majority leader, Mr Trent Lott, said in a statement that China's membership of the WTO would do nothing to end China's "predatory trade practices".
According to a US official, Washington has achieved one of its major aims, a separate agreement with China, effective immediately, to remove barriers to the sale of American beef, wheat and citrus fruits. The US is still seeking the removal of barriers in the telecommunications and banking sectors.
Mr Zhu received a ceremonial welcome on the South Lawn of the White House in brilliant spring sunshine. It was the first official visit by a Chinese premier in 15 years, although President Jiang Zemin was there in 1997.
Welcoming Mr Zhu, President Clinton said that the United States could best achieve its hopes for the next century through the creation of a "strategic partnership" with China on such issues as nuclear non-proliferation, free trade and the mutual embrace of political freedom.
Mr Zhu also used the term "strategic partnership" and spoke warmly of the US.
Several hundred protesters gathered outside the White House to denounce China's treatment of Tibet and its record on human rights. Mr Zhu and his wife were staying at Blair House, which was within view of the protesters.
Mr Zhu said he and President Jiang Zemin had "no knowledge" of any Chinese theft of US nuclear secrets. Mr Clinton responded: "I can only say that America is a big country with a big government and occasionally things happen in this government that I don't know about. So I think it's important that we continue the investigation and do our best to find out what happened and I asked for his co-operation."