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Co-chairs: S&ED discussion 'excellent'
By Bao Daozu (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-07-28 11:34

WASHINGTON DC: Both Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called the first day of discussion on Monday "excellent", while not revealing any details.

Dai and Clinton co-chaired the “Strategic Track” for Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED), which opened with discussions on China-US relations.

"We had a very good beginning," Dai told reporters after the closed-door meeting between Chinese and US negotiators.

Dai said although Sino-US relations have strengthened since the two countries established formal diplomatic ties 37 years ago, it is time for China and the US to start cherishing, protecting and promoting strong relationships.

President Hu Jintao and former US President George W. Bush initiated the twice-yearly China-US dialogue meetings in 2006 as a framework for the two countries to discuss issues of mutual economic interests.

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The two leaders agreed to include the "Strategic Track" to the conference, which alternates locations each year between China and the US.

US President Barack Obama said in his opening speech at the S&ED on Monday morning one nation can not confront the challenges of the 21st century on its own.

"It is this fundamental truth that compels us to cooperate."

"Today we have a comprehensive relationship that reflects the deepening ties among our people," he said,  referring to China-US relations.

Obama said he does not entertain the belief that China and the US will agree on every issue or choose to view the world in the same way.

"But that only makes dialogue more important, so that we can know each other better, and communicate our concerns with candor," Obama said.

Obama called Utah Governor Jon Huntsman an “outstanding” US ambassador to China, who is currently waiting for Senate confirmation.

"Jon has deep experience living and working in Asia, and unlike me – he speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese," Obama said.