SECRETARY CLINTON: Good afternoon and welcome to the State Department. Please be seated. We are delighted and honored to host such a distinguished gathering. Vice President Biden, Dr. Biden, and I welcome our special guests, especially President Hu Jintao and the distinguished members of the Chinese delegation. I am delighted to have this opportunity to welcome so many members of Congress and members of the President’s cabinet, including Secretary of Defense Gates, Attorney General Holder, Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack, Secretary of Commerce Locke, Secretary of Energy Chu, Secretary of Homeland Security Napolitano, and U.S. Trade Representative Kirk.
As you can tell, we are eating lunch a little late – (laughter) – so we are anxious to provide some nourishment to our guests who have traveled so far to be with us. And it is my pleasure now to introduce my friend and our Vice President, Vice President Biden. (Applause.)
