Vice-Premier Wang Qishan is greeted by US Vice-President Joe Biden during the opening session of the China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue in Washington on Monday. Susan Walsh / Associated Press

Leaders optimistic as key Sino-US talks start, common ground sought

WASHINGTON - China and the United States have far more shared interests than differences, and nothing can hold back the momentum of cooperation, Vice-Premier Wang Qishan said on Monday.

He made the remark at the opening of the third round of the China-US Strategic & Economic Dialogue in the US capital.

The Chinese team is led by Wang and State Councilor Dai Bingguo. US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton lead the US team.

The focus will be on trade, investment and finance during the two-day talks, as well as foreign policy. Both sides hope to build on the progress made during President Hu Jintao's state visit to Washington in January. That visit helped smooth relations that had been strained last year over issues such as US arms sales to Taiwan.

"With vision and foresight, the two presidents opened a new page in China-US relations," Wang said.

Leaders from both sides sounded upbeat on the talks, emphasizing trust and common ground while trying to narrow differences.

Geithner said that sound China-US relations will benefit not only the two countries, but also the world economy.

"Our ability to work together is important to the overall health and stability of the global economy.

"Thanks in no small part to the actions of the US and China, we have put out the worst of the financial fires and the world economy is growing again," Geithner said.

Clinton said the annual talks aim to build a stronger relationship, "to weather through disagreements when they arise, and narrow areas where our interests diverge".

But she noted "success depends on translating good work in talks into action".

"We need to better understand each other, build trust to work to avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation."

She did not refrain from mentioning obstacles in relations, as "some in the US see China's growth as a threat, while some in China worry America seeks to constrain China".

"A thriving US is good for China, and a thriving China is good for the US," she said.

US Vice-President Joe Biden said the two sides "have to be honest with each other and find common ground, including on sensitive issues, to avoid miscalculation".

He welcomed Chinese investment in the US and the more than 50,000 jobs it created.

Both Biden and Clinton acknowledged that the two countries have differences over human rights.

Dai made an evocative speech highlighting that cooperation between the two countries will benefit future generations.

"I am standing here addressing you as a 70-year-old man, an age when I should enjoy the company of my children and grandchildren ...

"I am doing this (attending the meeting) to implement the consensus of our presidents for the achievement of one lofty goal, to make our two countries and people forever good friends and good partners, and to enable our children and children's children to live in peace and happiness. Could we ever let them down? The answer is a definite no."

Both sides, for the first time, brought top military leaders to the talks in an effort to defuse tension following US arms sales to Taiwan last year.

After the opening session, the two sides will break into separate discussions on the economy and foreign policy. The US and Chinese leaders were also scheduled to meet US President Barack Obama on Monday. The talks wrap up on Tuesday.

America's massive trade deficit with China, currency rates and human rights concerns are expected to be on the agenda.

Meanwhile, China, as the biggest foreign creditor, wants assurances that its $1.2 trillion in US Treasury holdings are safe despite the impending congressional debate over raising the government's $14.3 trillion borrowing limit.

"The Chinese are astounded that the US government would let the debate get to the stage where there is even a remote possibility of a default," said Eswar Prasad, a China expert at Cornell University.

The higher debt limit is needed to make sure America can keep paying the interest bill on the debt to China and other investors.

While Geithner said last week that the US would press China to accelerate efforts to revalue the yuan, he had sounded a conciliatory tone prior to the talks. He noted that the yuan had risen in value by 5 percent since last June, and even faster once inflation was taken into account.

Sun Zhe, director of the Center for US-China Relations at Tsinghua University, said the US is mainly concerned about the yuan exchange rate, innovation, intellectual property rights and government procurement.

China's concerns include the US ban on the export of high-tech products and the granting of market economy status.

Sun said as the coming three to five years are an important period for both countries, "how to enhance their communication and drive the world economy with their own development will be major themes in the talks".

Senior Colonel Li Jie, a researcher at the Chinese Navy's Military Academy, told China Daily that future high-level military talks, maritime security cooperation, and regional security will probably dominate the first military dialogue.

Beijing has repeatedly protested against surveillance by US military planes and ships in waters near China.

Discussions between senior military representatives will "help reduce the chances of conflict", Li said.

Li Xiaokun and Cheng Guangjin in Beijing, AP contributed to this story.

China Daily

(China Daily 05/10/2011 page1)