US, China set broad table for ‘dialogue’

WASHINGTON – The United States and China started their first top-level ‘dialogue’ on a broad range of issues in Washington yesterday that could set the agenda for the two megapowers for years to come.

The US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue yesterday and today is to focus on bilateral, regional and global challenges on economic and foreign policy issues, as well as climate change.The two biggest developed and developing economies will discuss the global economic and financial crisis, the worst since the Great Depression, and what further steps are needed for recovery and financial system reform.On the policy track, North Korea’s nuclear programme, the war in Afghanistan, governance, health and infectious diseases are among the array of subjects on the table.A senior US official said ‘human rights, of course, will be discussed,’ citing Tibet and unrest in China.Launched by President Barack Obama and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao in April, the joint meeting aims to bring together high-level officials for intensive, in-depth discussions to strengthen understanding and cooperation.The Obama administration says this first meeting also is intended to lay the framework for the Strategic and Economic Dialogue (S&ED) meetings, to be held annually in alternate capitals, and set the stage for future bilateral ‘cooperative mechanisms.’ In a message sent to the start of top-level talks in Washington, China’s President Hu Jintao said he sought a ‘positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship’ between the two countries. ‘Our two countries should endeavour to expand common ground, reduce differences, enhance mutual trust and strengthen cooperation,’ he said. The United States and China are set to talk about a broad range of issues including fighting the global economic crisis during the two day meeting. It is the most in-depth exchange between the world’s largest developed and developing economies since US President Barack Obama took office in January.- Nampa-AFP