The Foreign Minister hailed yesterday's one-day strategic talks
with the US a success.
"Under the joint efforts of China and the US, our first
strategic dialogue has been successful," said Li
Zhaoxing after meeting US Deputy Secretary of State Robert
Zoellick, who arrived in Beijing on Sunday.
The closed-door talks, billed as the first of their kind since
the two countries forged diplomatic ties 26 years ago, was
co-chaired by Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo and Zoellick.
Li said they would help increase mutual trust, expand consensus
and promote bilateral constructive relations in a healthy and
stable manner.
Zoellick said that, as the US and China have broad common
interests, they should reduce differences and strengthen
cooperation.
As to the ongoing fourth round of six-party talks on the Korean
Peninsula nuclear issue, Zoellick said it's a difficult process and
expressed appreciation for China's efforts to push for a peaceful
solution.
During the dialogue, both sides exchanged views "in a candid and
in-depth manner," according to a press release from the Foreign
Ministry.
No detailed information was available on the subjects covered in
the talks, but a second dialogue was agreed to be held in the US
"months later."
Plans for the talks were agreed when President Hu Jintao and US
President George W. Bush met during the Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation informal economic leaders' meeting in Chile last
year.
(Xinhua News Agency August 3, 2005)