WASHINGTON — China and the US are set to start their annual high-level talks on June 23 to discuss deepening cooperation on strategic and economic issues as well as people-to-people exchange.

The seventh China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) will be co-chaired by Vice-Premier Wang Yang and State Councilor Yang Jiechi, special representatives of President Xi Jinping, and US Secretary of State John Kerry and Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew, on behalf of US President Barack Obama.

The sixth China-US High-Level Consultation on People-to- People Exchange (CPE) will be co-chaired by Vice-Premier Liu Yandong and Kerry.

The S&ED will cover a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues of common concern, including climate change, interaction in the Asia Pacific, managing differences and sensitive situations, United Nations and multilateral affairs, science and innovation, green ports and ships, as well as fighting illegal trade in wildlife.

During the economic dialogue, officials will have in-depth discussions on macroeconomic policy and restructuring, trade and investment promotion, and financial market stabilization and reform, including the exchange of “negative lists” on a mutual investment treaty, which outline sectors that are closed to foreign investment.

The CPE talks will focus on cooperation in education, science and technology, culture, health, sports, women and youth. Before heading to Washington on June 22, Liu had already visited Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Houston, Texas for a series of meetings and interaction with US officials, athletes, and Chinese students in the US.

This year’s S&ED and the CPE, which come at a time when there are a few hiccups in bilateral relations, are also expected to pave the way for a successful state visit to the US in September by President Xi.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said on June 19 that China is ready to work with the US to implement the consensus reached by their leaders, enhance strategic communication, promote mutually beneficial cooperation, properly handle differences, so as to push for new progress in the building of a new model of major power relationship.