US Vice-President Joe Biden reassured China on Sunday that the United States would never default on its debt. And he urged the world's second-largest economy to continue to invest in US Treasury bonds.

In his only major address during a six-day tour of China, Biden pointed out that US citizens still hold the vast majority of the US debt.

"So our interest is not just to protect Chinese investment. We have an overarching interest in protecting the investment. The US has never defaulted and never will default," he told an audience of about 400 students at Sichuan University.

He promised that the US was taking steps to cut budget deficits and must control the growth of entitlements, such as medical care, while expressing great confidence in the strength of the US economy.

"Not to worry," the US vice-president said. "We are still the single best bet in the world in terms of where to invest.

For nearly an hour, Biden spoke highly of China's economic and social progress, stressing that a rising China is a positive development, not only for the Chinese people but for both the US and the world.

"A more prosperous China will mean more demand for American-made goods and services," Biden said. "We have a stake in one another's success.

After his visit to China, Biden this week will visit Mongolia and Japan.

Questions:

1. Which country holds the most investments in US debt?

2. How did Biden say a more prosperous China will help the US?

3. Where did the US vice-president go after visiting China?

Answers:

1. The US does, through its citizens.

2. Biden said a prosperous China will mean more demand for US-made goods and services.

3. Biden this week will visit Mongolia and Japan.

（中国日报网英语点津 Helen 编辑）

About the broadcaster:

Renee Haines is an editor and broadcaster at China Daily. Renee has more than 15 years of experience as a newspaper editor, radio station anchor and news director, news-wire service reporter and bureau chief, magazine writer, book editor and website consultant. She came to China from the United States.