U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said Thursday the just concluded strategic economic dialogue (SED) with China has been "instructive and constructive."

"We have had substantive, robust and engaging exchanges on a range of issues important to both our nations including the integrity of trade, balanced growth including financial services, energy security and environmental sustainability, and bilateral investment," he said.

Paulson made the comments at a joint press conference following the conclusion of the closed-door Third China-U.S. Strategic Economic Dialogue that last one day and half.

"The quality of our discussions has improved over the last year...By building closer relationships we have clarified perceptions and increased understanding, which is vital to keeping our economic relationship on an even keel," he added.

Paulson said the dialogue has proven to be an effective forum for progress, and "I look forward to continuing progress in managing our economic relationship for the benefit of both our nations."

Paulson said both the Untied States and China are major contributors to global growth, adding that "we each benefit from the other's success."

"We discussed the importance of balanced growth in both our nations, and the role of competitive markets in spreading the benefits of growth to all our people," he added

U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab told a news briefing that "this session of the SED and the Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) has shown us the importance of engagement and the premier approach to resolving issues between us and to building up cooperation on issues where we have clear mutual interests."

During the dialogue, China and the United States also agreed to conduct extensive cooperation over a 10-year period to focus on technological innovation, adoption of clean technology and sustainable natural resources.

(Xinhua News Agency December 13, 2007)