China and the US started a second round of high-level strategic
dialogue in Washington yesterday in an effort to maintain the
momentum of improved bilateral relations.
The two-day talks, co-chaired by Vice-Foreign Minister Dai
Bingguo and US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick, were held
four months after the first round in Beijing.
The topics during the closed-door meeting would be "broader" in
scope compared with previous talks, insiders quoted by today's
China Daily said.
Yin Chengde, a researcher at the China Institute of
International Studies on Sino-US relations, said the ongoing
dialogue is expected to focus on issues of "strategic, overall and
long-standing importance" such as trade, security and energy.
"It is also expected to pave the way for President Hu
Jintao's visit to the US early next year," Yin told China
Daily.
Yin said have gained a sound momentum this year thanks to
frequent high-level visits and expanding communication
channels.
"The Bush administration is adjusting its policies towards
China, from a 'strategic competitor' to a 'stake holder'," Yin
said.
The Taiwan issue, although still very important to Sino-US
relations, is gradually dwindling in its significance in bilateral
ties, said Yin.
"The dialogues will help strengthen understanding and mutual
trust," he said.
But Yin said the structural contradictions in China-US relations
would not change if the US adopts a policy of both "cooperation"
and "containment."
The first dialogue came as a result of the consensus reached by
Hu and his US counterpart George W. Bush during the Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation forum in Chile last year.
Bush visited Beijing on November 19 and met Hu and Premier Wen
Jiabao for in-depth exchanges of views on Sino-US
relations.
(China Daily December 8, 2005)