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China, US reaffirm commitment to continue close cooperation

Updated: Jun 24,2015 7:56 AM     Xinhua

High-level officials attend the seventh China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S & ED) and the sixth China-US High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange (CPE) in Washington DC, the United States, June 23, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

Vice-Premier Liu Yandong speaks at the opening ceremony of the seventh China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S & ED) and the sixth China-US High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange (CPE) in Washington DC, the United States, June 23, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

WASHINGTON — China and the United States opened their annual high-level talks in Washington on June 23 to deepen cooperation in strategic and economic issues and further promote people-to-people exchanges.

The seventh China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S & ED) and the sixth China-US High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange (CPE) will conclude on June 24.

This year’s S & ED is 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 CPE is co-chaired by Vice-Premier Liu Yandong, a special representative of Xi, and Kerry.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, US Vice President Joe Biden stressed the importance of US-China cooperation in dealing with varied issues facing today’s world, saying his country, instead of fearing China’s rise, wants to see the Asian giant’s rise as it could be a significant asset for the region and the whole world.

With an eye to the differences between the two sides, Biden said the United States welcomes “healthy and fair competition” from China and believes that whenever possible, China should be included at the table of writing the rules.

Liu said that given the complexity of today’s global affairs, the domain where both countries should and can cooperate is vast.

As long as China and the United States respect and take into consideration each other’s core interests, adhere to constructive means, and avoid strategic misunderstanding and misjudgment, differences between the two sides will be managed, and their common interests will be maintained, she said.

Vice-Premier Wang Yang speaks at the opening ceremony of the seventh China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S & ED) and the sixth China-US High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange (CPE) in Washington DC, the United States, June 23, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

Wang praised the annual China-US high-level talks, which have gained more than 170 achievements in the past decade, for injecting “positive energy” into the bilateral ties.

It is the common wish of both sides to achieve a win-win relationship through joint cooperation and avoid the historical trap of zero-sum great power rivalry. The two countries should keep on the path of building a new model of major-country relationship to seek peaceful coexistence despite all the difficulties that they may face on the road ahead, he said.

Lew said that the US and China “have an enormous stake in each other’s economic performance.” As the world’s two largest economies, a mutually beneficial economic relationship is of great importance “not only to the prosperity of our own peoples, but to the health and development of the global economy.”

State Councilor Yang Jiechi speaks at the opening ceremony of the seventh China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S & ED) and the sixth China-US High-Level Consultation on People-to-People Exchange (CPE) in Washington DC, the United States, June 23, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]

Yang said that, as the largest developing country and the biggest developed nation, China and the US should stand on the higher ground to look at and deal with the bilateral ties, and stick to the path of pushing forward their cooperation, working together to maintain world peace and security, and helping every nation in the world with its development.

This year’s S & ED will cover a wide range of bilateral, regional and global issues of common concern, including climate change, interaction in the Asia-Pacific region, managing differences and sensitive situations, the 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.