USA-CHINA/TALKS-BANQUET U.S. officials host Chinese delegation at joint banquet on sidelines of U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue

Record ID: 152016

  • Title: USA-CHINA/TALKS-BANQUET U.S. officials host Chinese delegation at joint banquet on sidelines of U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue
  • Date: 24th June 2015
  • Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (JUNE 23, 2015) (STATE TV) VARIOUS OF U.S.-CHINA STRATEGIC AND ECONOMIC DIALOGUE PARTICIPANTS GATHERING FOR JOINT BANQUET U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN KERRY AND CHINA'S VICE PREMIER LIU YANDONG SITTING AT TABLE (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. TREASURY SECRETARY JACK LEW, SAYING: "May a discussion over the next few days be the example, the lease t
  • Embargoed: 9th July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA2TT0X9CEDK36485MO6ABGQRXZ
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew hosted on Tuesday (June 23) Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi and Vice Premier Wang Yang for the annual U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue.
    "I think it is fair to say that it is that sense of responsibility, that has guided us in our conversations last night at Mount Vernon and today and will guide us tomorrow, and particularly at the meeting that we will have with the President Obama. In a few short months President Xi (Jinping) will make a historic visit to the United States for a state visit. We have high expectations that that visit can help us to define this road ahead," U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said in a toast at the banquet.
    The Washington meetings come at a time of waning trust and widening differences between the United States and China, even though they maintain robust economic ties that last year were worth $590 billion in two-way trade.
    The United States is particularly worried by massive attacks on government computers that U.S. officials have blamed on Chinese hackers and China's pursuit of territorial claims in the South China Sea, as well as Beijing's challenge to its dominance of global finance and restrictions on U.S. businesses in China.
    In the opening session, U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew addressed the former issue without mentioning China by name but said Washington remained concerned about cyber-theft. Lew also said it was critical for China to move toward a more market-oriented exchange rate, repeating a U.S. mantra even though the International Monetary Fund has said the yuan is no longer undervalued.
    More than 400 Chinese officials are in Washington for the talks, which involve eight U.S. Cabinet secretaries.
    The two sides will try to ease tensions by stressing areas of cooperation, including climate change, shared concerns about Iran and North Korea's nuclear programs, the fight against Islamist militancy, and support for global development.
    Despite considerable tension over some issues, China is hoping for a smooth set of meetings to prepare for a visit to Washington by President Xi Jinping in September.
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