From 27 to 28 July, Vice Premier Wang Qishan and State Councilor Dai Bingguo will co-chair with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner the first round of the China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogues in Washington as Special Representatives of Chinese President Hu Jintao and Special Representatives of US President Barack Obama. A press briefing for Chinese and foreign journalists was conducted in the Foreign Ministry on 22 July, and Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei and Assistant Finance Minister Zhu Guangyao gave information on the dialogues.
Vice Minister He Yafei said that to establish the China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogues was an important agreement reached by the presidents of the two countries in their meeting in London in early April. It is a major measure taken by the two sides to promote the positive development of China-US relations in the new era. Thanks to the joint efforts of the two sides since the Obama administration took office, China-US relations have achieved a smooth transition and maintained sound momentum of growth. High-level exchanges and consultations at various levels between the two countries have been frequent. The two sides have carried out close coordination and cooperation in countering the international financial crisis, made new progress in their exchanges and cooperation in economy and trade, counter-terrorism, law enforcement, science, education, culture and health, and conducted effective consultations and coordination on major regional and international issues such as the Korean nuclear issue, the situation in South Asia, and the Iranian nuclear issue and on global issues such as energy security and climate change.
Vice Minister He noted that what has happened shows that in the face of a series of pressing and daunting challenges in the world, China and the United States have broader common interests and a sound basis for cooperation. To enhance cooperation between the two countries and tackle these challenges together not only serve the interests of the two countries but also contribute to peace, stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large. Under such circumstances, it is highly necessary for China and the United States to hold strategic and economic dialogues and have an in-depth exchange of views on strategic, long-term and overarching issues in the political, security and economic fields. This dialogue mechanism is bound to strongly promote mutual understanding, strategic mutual trust and long-term cooperation between the two sides, and bolster all-round development of the bilateral relationship.
Vice Minister He said that the agenda for the Strategic Dialogue under the framework of the first round of the China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogues mainly covers China-US relations, regional and international issues and global issues. We hope that after this round of Strategic Dialogue, China and the United States will expand agreement, narrow differences, deepen mutual trust, enhance cooperation, and move forward the positive, cooperative and comprehensive China-US relationship.
Assistant Minister Zhu Guangyao said that the Economic Dialogue in the first round of the China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogues is to take place at a time when the international financial crisis is still unfolding and the prospects of the world economy remain unclear. Under the theme of "Building Confidence to Restore Economic Growth, Strengthening China-US Economic Cooperation", the two sides will focus on addressing the international financial crisis through cooperation, and have in-depth exchanges of views and coordinate their positions on the policies and measures to tackle the financial crisis, sustainable economic growth, reform of the financial system, trade and investment cooperation and other major economic and financial issues. The Dialogue will send a positive signal that China and the United States are working hand in hand to tide over the difficulties.
Assistant Minister Zhu said that it is believed with the joint efforts of China and the United States, this Dialogue will strengthen communication between the two countries of macro-economic policies on tackling the crisis, promote sustainable and balanced economic growth, deepen trade and investment cooperation, strengthen cooperation on financial regulation and reform of the international financial system, and move forward China-US economic relations along the track of mutual benefit and win-win progress. The Dialogue will help forge a joint effort of the two sides in building a positive, cooperative and comprehensive China-US relationship for the 21st century to the benefit of the people of the two countries.