China, US to hold second round of strategic talks in May

Beijing, Apr.28 (ANI): US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will lead the US side at the second round of Strategic and Economic Dialogue (SAED) with China, which analysts consider is the "key" to determining the future of possibly the most important bilateral relationship in the world.

State Councilor Dai Bingguo and Vice-Premier Wang Qishan will lead the Chinese side at the two-day talks to be held from May 24, The People's Daily reported.

The dialogue is also an upgraded mechanism to replace the former Strategic Economic Dialogue in 2006 started under the George W. Bush administration.

The new version has both a "Strategic Track" and an "Economic Track".Clinton and Dai co-chair the "Strategic Track". Geithner and Wang co-chair the "Economic Track".The paper quoted Yuan Peng, head of US studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, as saying: "Sino-US relations are now at a turning point and the meeting is key for both parties to determine their future strategies. The discussion will include more topics than in 2009."

Yuan said Beijing would focus on trade protectionism and China's core interests while Washington will spotlight sanctions on Iran and the Chinese currency.Internet freedom and China's investment environment would also be touched upon.

Experts predict that bilateral relations will be more pragmatic in future as both sides now have a different perception of each other. (ANI)