About the Dialogue

About US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue

(ustreas.gov)
Updated: 2009-07-24 10:22

On April 1, 2009, Secretary of the Treasury Timothy F. Geithner and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton were named by President Obama to be special representatives for the United States to the US‐China Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED).

Established by President Barack Obama and President Hu Jintao, the S&ED will focus on addressing the challenges and opportunities that both countries face on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global areas of immediate and long‐term strategic and economic interest.

Through the Dialogue, and in its economic and strategic tracks, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and their colleagues in the President’s Cabinet will pursue in‐depth discussions with their respective Chinese counterparts. They will meet once per year in alternate capitals, and they look forward to welcoming the Chinese to the United States for the first round of the S&ED on July 27‐28, 2009.

What Is the S&ED?

The S&ED is an ongoing and intensive mechanism for addressing the challenges and opportunities that the United States and China face on a wide range of bilateral, regional and global areas of immediate and long‐term strategic and economic interest.

Who Is Involved?

On the U.S. side, Secretary of State Clinton and Secretary of the Treasury Geithner are Co‐Chairs of the Dialogue. Their respective Chinese counterparts are State Councilor Dai Bingguo and Vice Premier Wang Qishan. The S&ED brings together senior leadership representing the U.S. and Chinese governments during their meetings, which will take place annually in alternate capitals. Various other U.S. Cabinet and sub‐Cabinet officials and heads of Chinese ministries, bureaus and commissions will participate in the Dialogue depending on the issues being discussed.

What Is the Goal of the S&ED?

Both President Obama and President Hu Jintao of China have placed the S&ED at the center of our bilateral relationship and are committed to delivering concrete, meaningful and sustained progress over time on long‐term strategic and economic objectives through the S&ED. The 2009 Dialogue will provide an opportunity to establish a framework for those discussions moving forward.