On Jan. 14, 2011, the 2nd Lanting Forum with the theme of "China-US Relations in the New Era" was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs just before President Hu Jintao's upcoming visit to the United States. There were over 200 participants attending the event including Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai, foreign diplomatic envoys in China, foreign business leaders, well-known scholars and experts, and Chinese and foreign reporters. Wang Jisi, dean of the School of International Studies of Peking University hosted the forum.

Cui delivered a keynote speech titled the Theme of China-US Relations in the New Era. In his speech, he elaborated on the theme of China-US relationship from historical and realistic perspectives and from regional and global angles. Promoting China-US relations should become the theme of China-US relations in the new era. Cui raised suggestions on how to take the visit of President Hu as the opportunity to lead the bilateral relationship into a new stage of development focusing on the theme of cooperation. He pointed out the two sides should grasp the general direction of China-US relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, should be more proactive in planning phase-by-phase accumulation of China-US relations, should be more steadfast in increasing strategic mutual trust and should explore new ways for the sustainable expansion of China-US cooperation in a creative manner.

Cui concluded with the belief that with the concerted efforts of China and the U.S., President Hu's visit to the US will achieve a great success and further push the development of China-US cooperation for the wider and lasting benefits of the people of China, the United States and the world.

Cui also took the questions from the guests concerning the expected outcome of President Hu's visit, China-US business and trade relations, coordination and cooperation on major regional and international affairs, and the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Wang Jisi then moderated the expert panel. Zhou Wenzhong, Secretary-General of the Boao Forum for Asia, Ma Zhengang, Chairman of CSCAP (Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific) China, Tao Wenzhao, Fellow at the Institute of American Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), and Yuan Peng, Director of the Institute of American Studies, China Institute of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR) made presentations respectively on China-US economic and trade relations, China-US strategic mutual trust and security cooperation, China-US cooperation in the Asia Pacific region, and the prospects of China-US relations. The experts also had interactions with the guests.

On the same day, Cui Tiankai also accepted an exclusive interview with CNN concerning President Hu's upcoming visit and China-US relations.