China, US renew pledge to boost ties, tackle crisis

(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-12-17 07:52

WASHINGTON: China and the US have reaffirmed their determination to further promote bilateral ties and strengthen cooperation to tackle the financial crisis and other global challenges.

Their pledge was made at the sixth China-US Strategic Dialogue, co-chaired by State Councilor Dai Bingguo and US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte, in the US capital on Monday.

The dialogue has entered a crucial stage, serving as a link between the past and future, said Dai, who is on a weeklong official visit to the US.

The sixth round of the dialogue coincides with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the US. And the past three decades have offered opportunities and challenges both.

The bilateral strategic dialogue began in August 2005, with the last being held in Guiyang, capital of Guizhou province in January, and Dai said the two countries should hold on to the general direction of the ties.

They should aim at constructive cooperation with a strategic and long-term vision, intensify high-level exchanges and dialogue to strengthen strategic mutual trust and properly handle the Taiwan question to maintain peace and stability across the Straits.

Negroponte said the US was happy with the direction bilateral ties had taken in political, economic, cultural, educational and military fields.

Sino-US ties have benefited peoples of both the countries and those in the rest of the world, and more and more Americans now support taking bilateral ties forward, he said.

The two countries agreed to work together to tackle the global financial crisis, fight climate change, terrorism, non-proliferation, ensure energy security and meet other challenges to promote global peace, stability and development.

China Daily - Xinhua