US, China set date for new high-level dialogue

USA: Top US and Chinese leaders have agreed to meet July 27-28 in Washington for the first "strategic and economic dialogue" with the administration of President Barack Obama.

The new high-level discussions are an extension of economic talks begun under the administration of president George W. Bush, but with a broader focus.

The dialogue "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 interests," according to a joint statement from the US Treasury and State departments Monday.

"This first meeting of the dialogue will also set the stage for intensive, ongoing and future bilateral cooperative mechanisms."

The meeting is the first in a series agreed by Obama and China's President Hu Jintao that replaces a "strategic economic dialogue" established by former president Bush's administration and Beijing.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner will be joined by their respective Chinese co-chairs, State Councillor Dai Bingguo and Vice Premier Wang Qishan.

Obama and Hu had announced in April the talks would be held in late July but had not announced specific dates.

Washington, Tuesday, AFP