China, US start new round of strategic talks
(chinadaily.com.cn / agencies)
Updated: 2005-12-08 15:31

Two of the world's most powerful nations have kicked off a new round of strategic talks in Washington, to underscore their shared responsibilities as "stake-holders" in the global economic and security system.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo is welcomed by US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick in Washington, December 8, 2005. Two of the world's most powerful nations have kicked off a new round of strategic talks in Washington, to underscore their shared responsibilities as "stake-holders" in the global economic and security system and managing some frictions in their increasingly complex relationship. [Xinhua]

The meeting between U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo follows their inaugural talks in Beijing in August. Analysts said the joint diplomatic effort, initiated by Washington, is aimed at managing some frictions in their increasingly complex relationship.

U.S. State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli said the two-day meeting in Washington would cover bilateral issues as well as international topics including Iraq and Sudan and the nuclear ambitions of North Korea and Iran.

"They will be looking at a number of issues -- bilateral, security-related, economic related -- in a strategic context, with the aim of exploring the responsibility that both countries share to make the international system more secure and more prosperous over the long term," Ereli said.

"They will also look to the long term, over the horizon, to the future of U.S. and Chinese relations and what we hope that the relationship will look like," Ereli added.

Yin Chengde, a researcher with 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" to the two countries, such as trade, security and energy.

"It is also expected to pave the way for Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to the US early next year," Yin told China Daily in an interview. Yin said Sino-US relations 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.

Washington and Beijing cooperate in areas including counter-terrorism and six-party talks to try to end the North Korean nuclear crisis. But they have often sparred over human rights, trade and currency disputes and China's military spending. And, China's approach towards Sudan, Iran, Venezuela and other states which are at odds with the United States have added to the friction, analysts said.

Ereli said the talks aimed "not to prescribe courses of action or specific moves" but to discuss shared responsibilities as "stake-holders" in the world system.

Zoellick unveiled the phrase "responsible stake-holder" in a key policy speech in September in which he called China to assure the world it would use its growing power responsibly.

Ereli said Washington would explain to Beijing "how we see China playing a positive role in that area, and how China might be willing to consider how the rest of the world sees it."

The Taiwan question, although still very important to Sino-US relations, is gradually dwindling in its significance in bilateral ties, said Chinese researcher Yin.

Yin said the structural contradictions in China-US relations would not change if the US adopts a policy of both "co-operation" and "containment."