| The first round of the China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) concluded |
| 2009/07/30 |
| WASHINGTON, July 29 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese delegation headed by Vice Premier Wang Qishan and State Councilor Dai Bingguo on Wednesday left for home after concluding the first round of the China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) in Washington.
The two-day dialogue, which was co-chaired by Wang, Dai, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, concluded Tuesday with positive results. During the dialogues, the two sides had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on the strategic, long-term and overarching issues concerning the development of bilateral relations. Both sides recognized that the dialogue offers a unique forum to promote understanding, expand common ground, reduce differences, enhance mutual trust, and step up cooperation. The dialogue has helped to address shared challenges such as the global financial crisis, regional security concerns, global sustainable development, and climate change. The dialogue, a reflection of the progress in the China-U.S. relation over the past 30 years, has represented the two sides' shared commitment to building a positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship for the 21st century. The dialogue mechanism was upgraded from the former Strategic Dialogue and biennial Strategic Economic Dialogue, which were initiated by the heads of state of both China and the U.S. in 2005 and 2006, respectively. On April 1, 2009, Chinese President Hu Jintao and his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama agreed to establish the mechanism of the China-U.S. S&ED during their first meeting in London on the sidelines of the G20 financial summit. Addressing an audience of some 600 Chinese and U.S. officials, corporate executives and friends, Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan said that the Chinese people share the universal dream with the people in the world to pursue peace, development, prosperity and civilization. The Chinese people also share the same desire and interest with the American people to advance the China-U.S. relations, Wand said. Since history has shown that only those that embraced the historical trend will prosper, both nations need to embrace the trend of developing China-U.S. relations and push the bilateral ties to higher levels, he said. The two countries have no other choice but to cooperate, he added. Wang believed that both sides are wise and capable enough to solve all sorts of difficulties and problems on the way to push forward the bilateral ties. He also invited all U.S. friends to visit the Shanghai World Expo next year. State Councilor Dai Bingguo said in his speech that Chinese President Hu Jintao and his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama have agreed to jointly develop a positive, cooperative and comprehensive China-U.S. relationship for the 21st century, which is of vital and profound significance. He said both sides need to treat each other with a positive attitude and build mutual trust continuously. China is not only an indispensable part of world development, but also a crucial engine that provides great opportunities for world development, Dai said China will stick to its own development mode, and work together with all other nations to build a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity, he said. China and the United States should expand common interests, deepen cooperation, and enhance dialogues and cooperation on bilateral, regional and global issues, he added. Both countries should respect each other and equally treat each other, Dai said, adding that both countries should also see the other side's policies with understanding and trust, handle the other side's concerns and interests in the spirit of equality and mutual respect. Wang and Dai led a Chinese delegation to attend the first round of the China-U.S. Strategic and Economic Dialogue held on July 27-78. On Wednesday morning, Wang met with U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. The two exchanged views on bilateral issues and other issues of mutual concern. Also on Wednesday morning, Dai had breakfast with a group of U.S. senators on the Capitol Hill.
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